21st century cognitive behavioural therapy for anger: a systematic review of research design, methodology and outcome

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dc.contributor.authorFernandez, E.
dc.contributor.authorMalvaso, C.
dc.contributor.authorDay, A.
dc.contributor.authorGuharajan, D.
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractBackground: Past reviews of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anger have focused on outcome in specific subpopulations, with few questions posed about research design and methodology. Since the turn of the century, there has been a surge of methodologically varied studies awaiting systematic review. Aims: The basic aim was to review this recent literature in terms of trends and patterns in research design, operationalization of anger, and covariates such as social desirability bias (SDB). Also of interest was clinical outcome. Method: After successive culling, 42 relevant studies were retained. These were subjected to a rapid evidence assessment (REA) with special attention to design (ranked on the Scientific Methods Scale) measurement methodology (self-monitored behaviour, anger questionnaires, and others’ ratings), SDB assessment, and statistical versus clinical significance. Results: The randomized controlled trial characterized 60% of the studies, and the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory was the dominant measure of anger. All but one of the studies reported statistically significant outcome, and all but one of the 21 studies evaluating clinical significance laid claim to it. The one study with neither statistical nor clinical significance was the only one that had assessed and corrected for SDB. Conclusions: Measures remain relatively narrow in scope, but study designs have improved, and the outcomes suggest efficacy and clinical effectiveness. In conjunction with previous findings of an inverse relationship between anger and SDB, the results raise the possibility that the favourable picture of CBT for anger may need closer scrutiny with SDB and other methodological details in mind.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityEphrem Fernandez, Catia Malvaso, Andrew Day and Deepan Guharajan
dc.identifier.citationBehavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 2018; 46(4):385-404
dc.identifier.doi10.1017/S1352465818000048
dc.identifier.issn1352-4658
dc.identifier.issn1469-1833
dc.identifier.orcidMalvaso, C. [0000-0003-1227-5434]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/113739
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCambridge University Press
dc.rights© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2018
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1017/s1352465818000048
dc.subjectanger
dc.subjectclinical significance
dc.subjectcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
dc.subjectrandomized controlled trial (RCT)
dc.subjectrapid evidence assessment (REA)
dc.subjectsocial desirability bias (SDB)
dc.subjectsystematic review
dc.title21st century cognitive behavioural therapy for anger: a systematic review of research design, methodology and outcome
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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