Changes in Anger in Relationship to Responsivity to PTSD Treatment

This study examined the clinical course of different dimensions of anger and their relationship to change in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 139 female survivors of interpersonal violence suffering from PTSD. Specifically, this study evaluated differences in the rates of change in anger dimensions by responsivity to treatment status (responders, non-responders, and drop-outs). Responders and non-responders did not differ in rate of change on state anger and anger directed inward, suggesting that treatment led to improvements in these dimensions of anger regardless of final PTSD diagnosis. Responders did evidence statistically significantly more change in trait anger and control over one's anger than did the non-responders, suggesting that changes in these dimensions of anger may be related to recovery from PTSD. Individuals who terminated therapy prematurely did not experience the same gains in state anger, trait anger, or anger-in as those who completed treatment. Differences in rates of change (linear versus quadratic growth patterns), particularly with respect to continued improvement in anger following treatment completion are discussed.