Research review on anger in psychotherapy

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Anger is a complex emotion with multifaceted manifestations.
• Understanding anger's theoretical underpinnings is crucial for effective intervention.
• Existing research provides a foundation for clinical anger management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinically relevant research on the theory and treatment of anger.
• To evaluate diverse theoretical perspectives and techniques for anger management.
• To examine the efficacy of anger treatments in specific clinical populations.

Main Methods:

• Selective review of peer-reviewed literature on anger theory and treatment.
• Conceptual linkage of anger manifestations to a basic affective model.
• Analysis of treatment research in aggressive adults and children, PTSD, and cardiovascular disease populations.

Main Results:

• Anger is defined as a CNS process with cognitive, behavioral, physiological, experiential, and social components.
• Various theoretical perspectives offer distinct approaches to anger treatment.
• Evidence supports anger management interventions in diverse clinical groups.

Conclusions:

• Anger management strategies should be informed by a comprehensive understanding of emotion theory.
• Tailored interventions are necessary for different clinical populations experiencing anger.
• Further research is needed on anger suppression and inhibition within treatment paradigms.