Abstract
Anger dysregulation is a commonly reported problem by treatment-seeking military veterans that is associated with a range of negative outcomes. However, there is a paucity of studies examining interventions for anger and aggressive behavior in this population. Theory and empirical evidence suggest Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may be a viable and effective treatment for anger dysregulation among veterans. The present study examined the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an open trial of an ACT group intervention for veterans reporting difficulties with anger and aggressive behavior. Twenty-three male military veterans (mean age = 54.83) initiated a 12-week ACT intervention with assessments administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-week follow-up. Treatment completers found the intervention favorable, and participation was associated with improvements in trait physical aggression and psychological flexibility, while significant changes in anger reactivity, quality of life, and verbal aggression were not found. Results suggest group-based ACT for anger dysregulation is feasible in a male military veteran sample, and warrants further investigation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 233-241 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Aggression
- Anger
- Military Veterans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health