This study evaluated whether a systematic implementation of a psychoeducational anger management intervention would positively impact levels of anger on a court-ordered domestically violent male population as measured by the State Trait Anger Expression Index (STAXI).
Data were gathered using the STAXI and a demographic questionnaire. The sample comprised 182 men who volunteered after attending a psychoeducational anger management orientation. Volunteers were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The experimental group completed eight weeks of weekly 90-minute psychoeducational group meetings including cognitive-behavioral, cognitive restructuring, rational emotive, and group process techniques.
Two research questions were asked: Does systematic implementation of a psychoeducational anger management intervention positively effect reducing levels of anger for a court-ordered domestically violent population as measured by the STAXI? Are the differences in the outcomes of a psychoeducational treatment program of anger related to education, age, and ethnicity/race?
The experimental group exhibited significant changes on all five STAXI subscales. Posttest comparisons of both groups showed no significant correlations with education, age, or ethnicity/race. One conclusion was that a psychoeducational anger treatment program can significantly reduce anger (as measured by the STAXI) in men during an eight-week program. Education, age, and ethnicity/race were not factors. A conclusion was that a psychoeducational program using a mix of cognitive and cognitive-behavioral techniques was effective in reducing male anger levels as measured by STAXI subscales; blending participants of varied demographic characteristics including education, age, and ethnicity/race did not influence STAXI anger levels; and the STAXI is a valuable tool in assisting mental health providers in identifying change in male anger levels.
Mental health service providers need not hesitate to combine diverse populations or diverse demographic characteristics in developing psychoeducational anger management programs.
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