NCJ Number
191551
Journal
Research on Social Work Practice Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 399-426
Date Published
July 1999
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated the effectiveness of anger control training with conduct-disordered male adolescents at a day treatment program in a public school system.
Abstract
The research used a multiple baseline single-subject design across participants to assess matched pairs of students that included 8 experimental and 8 control students. The participants represented a convenience sample. The experimental participants took part in a 12-session Anger Control Training program as outlined by Feindler and colleagues. The cognitive-behavioral training program had five basic components: self-instruction, self-assessment, self-evaluation, arousal management, and adaptive skills development. The assessment used combined visual analyses and group comparison methods. Results revealed that the experimental students significantly improved in their weekly self-reports of using better anger control and experiencing more positive management and expression of anger. The experimental students also significantly improved in their use of self-control as indicated by a pretest through a 6-month follow-up assessment. The analysis concluded that the study provided some indication that a cognitive-behavioral approach was one method of effectively reducing school violence when compared with a nonspecific counseling approach alone. The analysis also suggested future research efforts given some of the limitations of the study. Figures, table, and 43 references (Author abstract modified)