Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral group therapy program for reducing anger and aggression in adolescents [Ergenlerde Öfke ve Saldirganligi Azaltmak için Bilişsel Davranişçi Bir Grup Terapisi Programinin Etkililigi]

The aim of this study was to prepare a cognitive behavioral group therapy program to reduce anger and aggression and evaluate the effectiveness of the program on the adolescents showing anger and aggression. Firstly the therapy program was developed by the authors. Then a pilot study was carried out to evaluate the deficiencies and problems of the therapy program. The program was finalized after that preliminary study. The twelve-session-program included cognitive restructuring, self-instruction, relaxation, and exposure techniques. In the main study, 40 students (treatment = 19, control = 21) who met the inclusion criteria at seventh and eighth grade were included in the participant group. To evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy program State Trait Anger and Expression Inventory (STAXI), STAXI parent form, Children's Action Tendency Scale (CATS), Novaco Anger Inventory short form were administered as pre-test, post-test and 6-month follow-up measures. Results revealed significant improvements in both self report and parent report of anger and aggression measures in therapy group. Intervention gains were largely maintained after 6 months in 8 participants who were available for the follow-up evaluation. The results, limitations and strengths of the study are discussed in the light of the literature.