Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Model for Anger Management With Adult Offenders

• NCJ Number: 159129
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 22 Issue: 3/4 Dated: (1995) Pages: 77-93
• Author(s): P M Valliant; L P Ennis; L Raven-Brooks
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The effectiveness of short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy with probationary and incarcerated offenders was examined; with university males serving as controls, weekly sessions of 2 hours each were provided over a 6-week period.

Abstract

Study participants included 107 males, 44 male inmates incarcerated in a northern Ontario, Canada, district jail and 26 probationary offenders. All subjects were administered a battery of psychological tests and were given an educational format on the topics of stress and anger to investigate personal stressors and reactions to stress. Results showed significant changes on the Buss-Durkee guilt scale for probationary offenders and significant changes in verbal hostility and resentment for incarcerated offenders. Several personality variables were significant predictors of treatment effectiveness within the incarcerated group. Individuals who set goals they were not intellectually capable of achieving were susceptible to the development of goal-directed frustration which led to anger. As hysteria levels increased among the sample, the effectiveness of therapy in decreasing assaultive behavior diminished. Individuals with higher levels of paranoia were more likely to decrease irritability through therapy, and hysteria was also negatively correlated with irritability. Although the findings may be interpreted as positive effects of treatment, they must also be considered as adaptive responses to incarceration. Certain behaviors, particularly verbal hostility and negativism, may lead to conflict with both prison staff and other inmates in the correctional setting. Therefore, any decrease in these behaviors may represent the desire of inmates to serve their sentences with as little conflict and interference as possible. Future research on the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy using forensic populations and larger sample sizes is recommended. 25 references and 4 tables