Abstract
Anger has come to be recognized as a significantsocial problem worthy of clinical attention andsystematic research. In the last two decades,cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as themost common approach to anger management. Theoverall efficacy of this treatment has not beenascertained, and therefore, it was decided to conduct ameta-analysis of this literature. Based on 50 studiesincorporating 1,640 subjects, it was found that CBT produceda grand mean weighted effect size of .70, indicatingthat the average CBT recipient was better off than 76%of untreated subjects in terms of anger reduction. This effect was statistically significant,robust, and relatively homogeneous across studies. Thesefindings represent a quantitative integration of 20years of research into a coherent picture of theefficacy of CBT for anger management. The results alsoserve as an impetus for continued research on thetreatment of anger.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Abikoff, H., & Klein, R. G. (1992). Attention-deficit hype ractivity and conduct disorder: Comorbidity and implications for treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60, 881–892.
Actor, R. G., & During, S. M., (1992). Preliminary results of aggression management training for aggressive parents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 7, 410–417.
Barth, R. P., Blythe, B. J., Schinke, S. P., & Schilling R. F. (1983). Self-control training with maltreating parents. Child Welfare. 62, 313–324.
Benson, B. A., Rice, C. J., & Miranti, S. V. (1986). Effects of anger management training with mentally retarded adults in group treatment. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 54,728–729.
Boswell, J. W. (1984). Effects of a multimodal counseling program and of a cognitive-behavioral counseling program on the anger management skills of pre-adolescent boys within an elementary school setting (Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, 1984). Dissertation Abstracts International, 45,372.
Cain, J. A. (1987). Anger control: A comparison of cognitive-behavioral and relaxation training, with post-treatment follow-up (Doctoral dissertation, United States International University, 1987). Dissertation Abstracts International , 48,1804–1805.
Dangle, R. F., Deschner, J. P., & Rasp, R. R. (1989). Anger control training for adolescents in residential treatment. Behavior Modification, 13,447–458.
Deffenbacher, J. L. (1995). Ideal treatment package for adults with anger disorders. In H. Kassinove (Ed.), Anger disorders: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment(pp 151–172). Washington DC: Taylor & Francis.
Deffenbacher, J. L., Story, D. A., Stark, R. S., Hogg, J. A., & Brandon, A. D. (1987). Cognitive-relaxation and social skills interventions in the treatment of anger. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 34,171–176.
Deffenbacher, J. L., Story, D. A., Brandon, A. D., Hogg, J. A., & Hazaleus, S. L. (1988). Cognitive and cognitive-relaxation treatments of anger. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 12,167–184.
Deffenbacher, J. L., Lynch R. S., Oetting, E. R., and Kemper, C. C. (1996). Anger reduction in early adolescents. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 43, 149–157.
Deffenbacher, J. L., McNamara, K., Stark, R. S., & Sabadell, P. M. (1990a). A comparison of cognitive-behavioral and process-oriented group counseling for general anger reduction. Journal of Counseling and Development, 69, 167–172.
Deffenbacher, J. L., McNamara, K., Stark, R. S., & Sabadell, P. M. (1990b). A combination of cognitive, relaxation, and behavioral coping skills in the reduction of general anger. Journal of College Student Development, 31,351–358.
Deffenbacher, J. L., & Stark, R. S. (1992). Relaxation and cognitive-relaxation treatments of general anger. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 39,158–167.
Deffenbacher, J. L., Thwaites, G. A., Wallace, T. L., & Oetting, E. R. (1994). Social skills and cognitive-relaxation approaches to general anger. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 41, 386–396.
Deschner , J. P., & McNeil, J. S. (1986). Results of anger control training for battering couples. Journal of Family Violence, 1,111–120.
Dobson, K. S. (1989). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of cognitive therapy for depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psvchology, 57,414–419.
Dodge, K. A. (1993). Social cognitive mechanisms in the development of conduct disorder and depression. Annual Review of Psvchology, 44, 559–584.
Eckhardt, C. l., & Deffenbacher, J. L. (1995). Diagnosis of anger disorders. In H. Kassinove (Ed.), Anger disorders: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment(pp 27–48). Washington DC: Taylor & Francis.
Faulkner, K., Stoltenberg, C. D., Cogen, R., Nolder, M., & Shooter, E. (1992). Cognitive-behavioral group treatment for male spouse abusers. Journal of Family Violence, 7,37–55.
Feindler, E. L., Ecton, R. B., Kingsley, D., & Dubey, D.R. (1986). Group anger control training for institutionalized psychiatric male adolescents. Behavior Therapy, 17,109–123.
Feindler, E. L., Marriott, S. A., & Iwata, M. (1984). Group anger-control training for junior high school delinquents. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 8,299–311.
Fernandez, E., & Boyle, G.J. (1996). Meta-analytic procedure and interpretation of treatment outcome and test validity for the practitioner psychologist. In M. Smith & V. Sutherland (Eds.), International review of professional issues in selection and assessment(Vol. 2, pp. 109–125). Chichester, UK: Wiley.
Fernandez, E., & Turk, D. C. (1989). The utility of cognitive coping strategies for altering pain perception: A meta-analysis. Pain, 38, 123–135.
Fernandez, E., & Turk, D. C. (1993). Anger in chronic pain patients: A neglected target of attention. American Pain Society Bulletin, 3,5–7.
Fernandez, E., & Turk, D. C. (1995). The scope and significance of anger in the experience of chronic pain. Pain, 61,165–175.
Gaertner, G. P. (1984). A component analysis of stress inoculation training for the development of anger management skills in adult male offenders (Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, 1983). Dissertation Abstracts International, 44,2359.
Glass, G. V., McGaw, B., & Smith, M. L. (1981). Meta-analvsis in social research.Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Glick, B., & Goldstein, A. P. (1987). Aggression replacement training. Journal of Counseling and Development, 65,356–362.
Hinshaw, S. P., Henker, B., & Whalen, C. K. (1984). Self-control in hyperactive boys in anger-inducing situations: Effects of cognitive-behavioral training and of methylphenidate. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 12,55–77.
Jackson, N. C. (1992). Anger control training for adolescents in acute inpatient psychiatric treatment (Doctoral dissertation, Mississippi State University, 1991). Dissertation Abstracts International, 53,407.
Kassinove, H., & Sukhodolsky, D. G. (1995). Anger disorders: Basic science and practice issues. In H. Kassinove (Ed.), Anger disorders: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment(pp. 1–26). Washington DC: Taylor & Francis.
Kennedy, S. M. (1992). Anger management training with adult prisoners (Doctoral dissertation, University of Ottawa, 1990). Dissertation Abstracts International, 52,6087.
Koop, C. E., & Lundberg, G. D., (1992). Violence in America: A public health emergency. Journal of the American Medical Association, 267,3075–3076.
Larson, J. D. (1991). The effects of a cognitive-behavioral anger-control intervention on the behavior of at risk middle school students (Doctoral dissertation, Marquette University, 1990). Dissertation Abstracts International, 52,117.
Lochman, J. E. (1985). Effects of different treatment lengths in cognitive-behavioral interventions with aggressive boys. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 16,45–56.
Lochman, J. E., Lampron, L. B., Gemmer, T. C., Harris, S. T., & Wyckoff, G. M. (1989). Teacher consultation and cognitive-behavioral interventions with aggressive boys. Psychology in the Schools, 26,179–188.
Lochman, J. E., Burch, P. R., Curry, J. F., & Lampron, L. B. (1984). Treatment and generalization effects of cognitive-behavioral and goal-setting interventions with aggressive boys. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52,915–916.
Lochman, J. E., & Curry, J. F. (1986). Effects of social problem-solving training and self-instruction training with aggressive boys. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 15,159–164.
Lochman, J. E., & Lenhart, L. A. (1993). Anger coping intervention for aggressive children: conceptual models and outcome effects. Clinical Psychology Review, 13, 785–805.
Lochman, J. E., Nelson, W. M., & Sims, J. P. (1981). A cognitive-behavioral program for use with aggressive children. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 10,146–148.
Macpherson, S. L. (1986). An investigation of the components of anger management as applied to an incarcerated population (Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, 1986). Dissertation Abstracts International, 47,1731.
Mahoney, M. (1993). Theoretical developments in the cognitive psychotherapies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61,187–193.
Mandel, S. M. (1991). Cognitive behavioral anger control training with aggressive adolescent male s in a special education high school (Doctoral dissertation, Temple University, 1991). Dissertation Abstracts International, 52,2471.
McDougall, C., Boddis, S., Dawson, K., & Hayes, R. (1990). Developments in anger control training. Issues in Criminological and Legal Psychology, 15,39–44.
Meichenbaum, D. H. (1975). Stress inoculation training.New York: Pergamon Press.
Meichenbaum, D. H. (1976). A cognitive-behavior modification approach. In M. Hersen & A. Bellack (Eds.), Behavioral assessment: A practical handbook.New York: Pergamon Press.
Moon, J. R., & Eisler, R. M. (1983). Anger control: An experimental comparison of three behavioral treatments. Behavior Therapy, 14,493–505.
Moore, K. J., & Shannon, K. K., (1993). The development of superstitious beliefs in the effectiveness of treatment of anger: Evidence for the importance of experimental program evaluation in applied settings. Behavioral Residential Treatment, 8,147–161.
Napolitano, S. (1992). Evaluation of prison anger control training (PACT): A group treatment program for incarcerated murderers and violent offenders (Doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology, 1991). Dissertation Abstracts International, 53,1071.
Novaco, R. W. (1975). Anger control: The development and evaluation of an experimental treatment.Lexington, MA: D.C. Health.
Novello, A., Shosky, S., & Froehlke, R. (1992). From the Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service: A medical response to violence. Journal of the American Medical Association, 267,3007.
Olson, M. L. (1987). The effect of a cognitive-behavioral anger management program on hostility among clinically anger clients (Doctoral dissertation, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1986). Dissertation Abstracts International, 48,885.
Omizo, M. M., Hershberger, J. M., & Omizo, S. A. (1988). Teaching children to cope with anger. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 22,241–245.
Pascucci , N. J. (1991). The efficacy of anger control training in reducing chronic aggressive behavior among emotionally disturbed/learning disabled African-American male pre-adolescents and adolescents (Doctoral dissertation, St. John's University, 1991). Dissertation Abstracts International, 51,3678.
Rhoades, G. F. (1988). The effects of stress inoculation and relative dogmatism upon anger management with forensic inpatients (Doctoral dissertation, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1982). Dissertation Abstracts International, 48,3694.
Rokach, A. (1987). Anger and aggression control training: Replacing attack with interaction. Psychotherapy, 24,353–362.
Rosengren, D. B. (1987). The program of anger control (PACT): An intervention for angry adolescents (Doctoral dissertation, University of Montana, 1986). Dissertation Abstracts International, 48,1819.
Rosenthal, R. (1991). Meta-analytic procedures for social research,Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Rosenthal, R. (1995). Writing meta-analytic reviews. Psychological Bulletin, 118,183–192.
Saylor, C. F., Benson, B., & Einhaus, L. (1985). Evaluation of an anger management program for aggressive boys in inpatient treatment. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 2,5–15.
Schlichter, J. K., & Horan, J. J. (1981). Effects of stress inoculation on the anger and aggression management skills of institutionalized juvenile delinquents. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 5,359–365.
Shivrattan, J. L. (1988). Social interactional training and incarcerated juvenile delinquents. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 30,145–163.
Smith, L., & Beckner, B. M. (1993). An anger management workshop for inmates in a medium security facility. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 19,103–111.
Steele, H. V. (1991). Social skills and anger control training with juvenile, mentally retarded felony offenders (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, 1990). Dissertation Abstracts International, 51,5593.
Stermac, L. E. (1986). Anger control treatment for forensic patients. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1,446–457.
Tafrate, R. C. (1995). Evaluation of treatment strategies for adult anger disorders. In H. Kassinove (Ed.), Anger disorders: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment(pp 109–130). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.
Van Balkom, A. J. L. M., van Oppen, P., Vermeulen, A. W. A., van Dyck, R., Nauta, M. C. E., & Vorst, H. C. M. (1994). A meta-analysis on the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder: A comparison of antidepressants, behavior, and cognitive therapy. Clinical Psychology Review, 14,359–381.
Whiteman, M., Fanshel, D., & Grundy, J. F. (1987). Cognitive-behavioral interventions aimed at anger of parents at risk of child abuse. Social Work, 32, 469–474.
Wilcox, D., & Dowrick, P. W. (1992). Anger management with adolescents. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 9,29–39.
Wu, S. F. (1990). The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions in facilitating griefwork, decreasing attachment, and anger management: A comparative study of post-divorce adjustment groups (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida, 1989). Dissertation Abstracts International, 51,2080.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beck, R., Fernandez, E. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Anger: A Meta-Analysis. Cognitive Therapy and Research 22, 63–74 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018763902991
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018763902991