Citation

Currie M, Startup M. J. Adolesc. 2012; 35(4): 843-853.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.12.003

PMID

22245455

Abstract

This study evaluates efficacy and effectiveness of 'Doing Anger Differently' (DAD), a group treatment for reactively aggressive 12-15 year old males. DAD uses percussion exercises to aid treatment. Study 1 compared a ten-week treatment with a waitlist control at pre, post and 6 month (treatment group only) follow-up. Study 2 replicated Study 1, but also followed up controls at 6 months. In study 1 (N = 54) the treatment resulted in lowered trait anger (Cohen's d = -1.3), aggression-reports (d = -1.0) and depression (d = -0.6), and increased self-esteem (d = 0.6), all maintained at six months. In study 2 (N = 65), aggression-reports fell to one fifth of pre-treatment levels at nine months follow-up (d = -1.2), with lowered trait anger (d = -0.4) and anger expression (d = -0.3) post-treatment.

Language: en