An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Repertory Grid Exploration of Anger in Young Offenders

Abstract

Anger and its treatment is a major issue in a variety of contexts, although it remains underexplored. In this study 10 young people completed semi-structured interviews and repertory grids. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and repertory grid analysis were conducted. Findings consistently indicated that anger is a more similar than different experience for participants within dialectical processes involving disempowering, empowering, and disengaging narratives that can be affected by positive personal and interpersonal phenomena and socially driven beliefs. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank Dr. Marie-Stéphanie Cahart for her invaluable assistance commenting on the final version of this article.

Notes

¹In the notation following each quote, v = violent offender, nv = nonviolent offender, and the final letter indicates the identity of the participant.