RELAPSE PREVENTION APPROACH TO REDUCING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR (FROM SERIOUS VIOLENT OFFENDERS: SENTENCING, PSYCHIATRY, AND LAW REFORM, 1991, P 179-191, SALLY-ANNE GERULL AND WILLIAM LUCAS, EDS. - SEE NCJ-147734)

• NCJ Number: 147749
• Author(s): P Prisgrove
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

Relapse prevention (RP) is a cognitive-behavioral approach to intervention that has been successful in modifying violent behavior, including sexual aggressiveness and domestic violence.

Abstract

RP helps the client to recognize the sequence of behaviors that typically lead to aggression, to identify situations that represent a high risk of aggressiveness, and to develop ways to cope with these situations in order to circumvent the aggression. The three stages to changing aggressive behavior include making a commitment and becoming motivated to change, implementing the change, and maintaining the change on a long-term basis. RP differentiates between a lapse -- when a client resorts to aggression on a particular occasion -- and a relapse -- when the client experiences an ongoing reversion to previous levels of aggressive behavior. The client's reaction to a lapse may determine if a full-blown relapse occurs. Relapse prevention strategies include skill training, cognitive reframing, and lifestyle interventions. RP approaches are particularly applicable to a correctional situation because they span the areas of correctional philosophy, policy, and practice. 3 figures and 16 references