Etiology and management of anger in groups: a psychodynamic view

The author postulates that theoretical explanations of the etiology of anger and aggression inform the group therapist's interventions. Four psychodynamic schools of thought--drive theory, ego psychology, object relations theory, and self psychology--are discussed. Choice of the best-suited theory to increase understanding may vary according to the particular patient and/or set of group circumstances. A pitfall to be avoided is forcing any given individual, event, or process into a specific school of thought. In the group, special issues related to anger exist: the therapist's vulnerability to narcissistic injury if made the focus of anger, the increased intensity and force of anger that can be mustered in a group, and the safety afforded patients as they, outnumbering the therapist(s), express anger.