Effectiveness of a group anger management programme after severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Primary objective: This study examined the effectiveness of a group approach to the treatment of anger management difficulties for people with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Research design: Repeated-measures design with convenience sampling.

Method and procedure: Participants were community living clients of a tertiary brain injury service. The group programme consisted of 12 weekly sessions based on a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) model, with modifications to incorporate compensations for TBI-related cognitive impairment. Treatment effectiveness was measured using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), at pre-treatment, post-treatment and follow-up.

Main outcomes and results: The programme was completed by 52 people across nine groups over the years 1998–2006 and 31 of these attended a follow-up session. Completion of the programme was associated with significant decreases in self-reported frequency with which anger was experienced (STAXI Trait Anger) and frequency of expression of anger (Anger Expression-Out), as well as a significant increase in reported attempts to control feelings of anger (Anger Control); changes were maintained at follow-up assessment.

Conclusions: A group CBT approach shows promise as an effective community-based treatment for anger control issues after severe TBI. Future research directions should include a wait-list control group and objective rating of anger expression.

• Anger management
• cognitive behaviour therapy
• group intervention
• acquired brain injury
• challenging behaviour