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CONTROLLING ANGRY AGGRESSION: A PILOT GROUP INTERVENTION WITH PERSONALITY DISORDERED OFFENDERS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2001

Mary McMurran
Affiliation:
Cardiff University, U.K.
Philip Charlesworth
Affiliation:
University of Leicester, U.K.
Conor Duggan
Affiliation:
University of Leicester, U.K.
Lucy McCarthy
Affiliation:
University of Leicester, U.K.

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the progress of four male, legally-detained personality disordered offenders in a group treatment programme for angry aggression. “Controlling angry aggression” is a 15-session, structured, cognitive-behavioural programme that is part of a wider integrated, multidisciplinary treatment programme run within a specialist personality disorder treatment unit. Psychometric tests showed that three of the four patients improved over the course of the treatment programme. Behaviour ratings of staff and patients concurred, allowing confidence in patients' self-report of anger. No change in behaviour was evident over time for any patient, but initial low rates of aggression allowed little room for improvement. Self-monitored anger and aggression scores did vary markedly over time, and since behaviour remains stable despite anger, this indicates that these patients can control their behaviour. One patient did not improve, and reasons for this are examined, concluding with a reminder of the need for rigorous selection of patients for treatment programmes.

Type
Clinical Section
Copyright
© 2001 British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

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