A Study on the Effects of Responsive Outpatient Aggression Regulation Therapy for Juveniles

Abstract

Introduction: Effectiveness of Responsive Outpatient Aggression Regulation Therapy (ReART-Outpatient) for juveniles with severe aggression problems was investigated. Methods: Re-ART-Outpatient for juveniles (n=44) was compared with a control group (n=48) receiving treatment as usual on several treatment outcome measures. Results: Re-ART-Outpatient showed significantly better results on risk of violent recidivism, impulsivity, motivation, handling anger, self-reported aggressive behavior, and cognitive distortions. Discussion: This could be explained because Re-ART is systemic and individualistic, targeting various aggression-related criminogenic risk factors. Further research with adequate sample sizes, randomized, at multiple locations, with data on actual recidivism, is recommended.

Keywords:

• Aggression
• control group
• impulsivity
• risk of violent recidivism
• juveniles

Conflict of interest

L.M. Hoogsteder is the developer of Re-ART.