Relaxation and cognitive-relaxation treatments of general anger.

Abstract

VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study by Deffenbacher et al. was to determine whether a combination of relaxation coping skills (RCS) and cognitive coping skills (CCS) interventions might interact synergistically and be more effective than RCS alone. METHODOLOGY: This study was quasi-experimental. The subjects were gathered through a screening instrument questionnaire administered to six introductory psychology classes of approximately 150-200 students per class. Subjects meeting inclusion criteria that focused on admissions of inabilities to control anger and wanting intervention were subsequently assigned in groups of 10-15 by a trained undergraduate assistant. There were 55 participants (27 male and 28 female). These students were randomly assigned to conditions for combined cognitive-relaxation skills and cognitive coping skills (16 students) in an intervention labeled cognitive relaxing coping skills (CRCS). The second intervention group provided relaxation coping skills (RCS) therapy alone to 19 students, and 20 students were placed in the control condition of no intervention aside from taking assessment tests. All participants were rewarded with 3 hours of university laboratory credit. For both CRCS and RCS treatment sessions consisted of eight weekly, 1-hour group meetings led by an advanced doctoral student. Those students who received CRCS intervention attended sessions devoted to cognitive-relaxation coping rationale, progressive relaxation training, and received training in various relaxation coping skills. The students who received RCS intervention attended sessions focused on only relaxation coping skills for anger control. The students in the no-treatment expectancy control condition were given no treatment and simply received credit for assessments. General anger was assessed by Likert-type scales, where increasing scores reflected greater self-reported anger and anger across a range of situations. General-anger expression style, or the ability to suppress anger when provoked, was also measured by a Likert-type scale. Person-specific anger, or anger unique to the individual was assessed by self-reported data, which was later rated by the severity of anger symptoms. State anger and coping were analyzed by a Likert-type scale and a 6-item Coping questionnaire following the presentation of a social provocation through imagery. Lastly, perceived treatment implementation and impact were assessed by evaluation questionnaires drawn from the authors. FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: The authors found that generally CRCS and RCS intervention subjects showed significant anger reduction compared with the control conditions but did not differ significantly from one another. Thus, there was no perceived or measured synergistic effect as both interventions appeared effective. However, the authors also noted that the CRCS intervention subjects attended significantly more sessions than did RCS participants and perceived CRCS as a more helpful intervention overall than did the RCS group. The authors concluded from earlier studies that cognitive coping skills (CCS) were as effective as relaxation coping skills (RCS). The present study supported the earlier findings and showed that RCS remained effective as a single intervention and a CRCS intervention was not significantly better than CCS alone. AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS: The authors recommended that CRCS appeared to be the preferred intervention, though it did not show any statistical superiority over administration of CCS alone. The authors argued that CRCS subjects attended more sessions, reported that treatment engendered greater expectations of success, and rated the treatment as more helpful. Those differences were seen by the authors as having practical implications such as the reduction of premature termination in nonresearch settings. Also, they contended that in a group format in which individualized treatment is more difficult, perhaps the combination of cognitive and relaxation components may better address individual differences among clients. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) KW - Young Adult KW - Anger Management KW - Cognitive Behavioral KW - Anger Treatment KW - Adult Anger KW - Anger Intervention KW - Follow-Up Studies KW - Prosocial Attitudes and Behavior KW - Social Skills Training KW - Coping Skills KW - College Student Research

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