Evaluation of an Anger Management Therapy Programme Following Acquired Brain Injury: A Preliminary Study

Problems with anger management after traumatic brain injury are one of the most frequent changes in the long term reported by relatives of injured people. In spite of their impact there have been few reports either describing therapy procedures for this disorder or examining their efficacy. The present study evaluated a cognitive-behavioural intervention for anger management difficulties following acquired brain injury. Participants were screened and randomly allocated to either a Treatment Group (TREAT) or Waiting List Group (WAIT). Each participant in TREAT received approximately six, hourly individual sessions of anger-management therapy while those in WAIT monitored their anger daily. Sixteen participants proceeded through to the final stages of the study. A significant decrease in anger on the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) was found for TREAT in comparison with WAIT at post-treatment. Repeated-measures analyses for TREAT showed significant improvements between pre-treatment and post-treatment measures (immediate and 2-month follow-up) on the STAXI. No significant generalisation of treatment effects to self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or degree of self-awareness were found.