Choices: anger and anger management in rehabilitative care

Violent acts are on rise and rehabilitation providers as caregivers may encounter anger on a daily basis. The purpose of this article is to discuss anger and describe anger management strategies based on behavioral interventions grounded in Choice Theory.

Applying choice theory to anger is the belief that people are internally, not externally motivated, and that outside events do not make people do anything. Thus, what drives people's anger behaviors are internally developed notions of what is important and satisfying for them.

Anger becomes a choice along with its management. Choosing strategies to manage anger are key to reducing the potential for angry emotions to escalate to the point of aggressive and violent acts that threaten caregivers and clients safety. Anger-free environments promote mental/physical health and establish elements of safe living and working environments in a variety of rehabilitative care settings.