posted on 2022-03-28, 23:15authored byCarmen L. Germain
Two studies were conducted to investigate anger regulation in two clinical groups well documented to experience anger related problems : trauma-exposed combat veterans and adult individuals with high levels of trait-anger. The first study was a path analysis investigation of the effect of trauma-related cognitive factors (negative trauma appraisals, trauma rumination and suppression) on the association between combat-PTSD symptom severity and anger regulation domains of suppression, aggressive expression and control. Negative trauma appraisals about self and the world were found to partially mediate the relationship between PTSD and anger regulation domains, while trauma rumination and suppression did not. A direct relationship was found between combat-PTSD and aggressive anger expression. Implications for the theoretical conceptualisation and treatment of anger dysregulation in combat-PTSD were discussed.
While cognitive-behavioural therapy is the most empirically supported treatment for dysregulated anger to date, acceptance-based approaches have recently been proposed. However, few studies have examined the relative effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal and acceptance approaches to anger. The second study was an experimental investigation of the effectiveness of instructed cognitive reappraisal, acceptance and emotional suppression on state-anger in response to provocation, amongst individuals with high trait-anger. This study examined trait-emotion regulation style and elevated PTSD symptoms as moderators of the effect of instructed ER. Immediate and delayed adaptive effects on subjective state-anger, physiological arousal, and anger intrusions were found for all three emotion regulation instructions. Trait-concealing was found to augment the adaptive effects of suppression on physiological arousal, while trait-tolerance enhanced the effect of cognitive reappraisal. PTSD status was not found to be a significant moderator.
This research highlighted the importance of targeted assessment and interventions for negative trauma appraisals in the context of anger treatment for combat veterans, and generated support for cognitive reappraisal, acceptance and emotional suppression as effective short-term strategies for coping with provoked state anger amongst individuals with high trait anger.
History
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. General introduction -- Chapter 2. Study 1 - The role of trauma-related cognitive processes in the relationship between combat-related PTSD symptom severity and maladaptive anger expression and control -- Chapter 3. Acceptance versus control-based approaches to anger regulation -- Chapter 4. Study 2 - Trait anger and emotion regulation : the effectiveness of reappraisal, acceptance and suppression strategies in regulating anger -- Chapter 5. General discussion.
Notes
Includes bibliographic references
Theoretical thesis.
Awarding Institution
Macquarie University
Degree Type
Thesis DPsych
Degree
DPsych, Macquarie University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology
Department, Centre or School
Department of Psychology
Year of Award
2014
Principal Supervisor
Maria Kangas
Additional Supervisor 1
David Forbes
Rights
Copyright Carmen L. Germain 2013.
Copyright disclaimer: http://mq.edu.au/library/copyright