Evaluation of two cognitive-behavioral approaches to general anger reduction

Inductive social skills training (ISST) based on principles from Beck's cognitive therapy and cognitive-relaxation coping skills (CRCS) were compared to a no treatment control for general anger reduction. Preliminary analyses suggested equivalent, quality administration of treatments and no systematic bias in the 1-year follow-up sample. By 5-week follow-up, treatment groups compared to the control, showed reductions of trait anger daily anger level, anger in response to a wide range of situations anger in the person's greatest ongoing source of provocation, anger-related physiological arousal, and trait anxiety. Regarding anger expression, treatment groups both lowered suppressive and outwardly negative anger expression styles, whereas CRCS also enhanced a controlled style of anger expression. Both groups also led to higher proportions of participants meeting a clinically reliable change index on trait anger No treatment effects were found for assertiveness. One-year follow-up generally revealed maintenance of effects found at 5-week follow-up. Results are discussed in terms of prior findings, the efficacy and flexibility of ISST and the need for greater clarity in relating anger and assertiveness, measuring angel; and generalizing findings.