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ABSTRACT
This paper describes Doing Anger Differently (DAD), a group treatment for young adolescent boys with high levels of anger. The approach is school-based, 10 weeks long, and utilizes music in the form of percussion to engage this difficult to treat population into treatment and to represent the experience of anger. A tri-level intervention is described: the experience of anger and its influence on action; the formation of meaning and identity resulting from anger and aggression; and the emphasis on group work and the interpersonal basis of anger. Techniques used throughout the group are discussed and illustrative case vignettes are provided.
A high level of anger in early adolescence often translates, particularly for boys, into crime, violence, low achievement, and physical and mental illness in later adolescence and adulthood (Dutton, 1995; Feindler, 1995; Lochman & Lenhart, 1993; Saunders, 1992). There is evidence that intervention becomes more difficult beyond the age of 15, as young people have become more firmly ensconced in a culture of offending and punishment (Loeber, 1990). There is a need for an indicated or secondary preventative intervention for these problems in early adolescence.
No short-term program has reported long-term reduction in anger levels and aggressive behavior with adolescents who have high levels of anger (Feindler, 1990; Larson 1994), although there have been some successes short of this (Larson, 1994). Three reviews from the past 15 years have found little support for anger control program efficacy in decreasing physiological arousal, aggressive responding, and changed perceptions by others (Feindler, 1990; Greenberg et al., 2001; Tolan & Guerra, 1994). Larson (1994) has called for more innovation and ongoing evaluation research, particularly with programs occurring within the high school setting. A recent review on group violence reduction programs in the school setting has noted an emphasis on psycho-education and skills training and a neglect of the use of the group as a clinical asset (American Group Psychotherapy Association, 2002).
The Doing Anger Differently (DAD) program is an approach to this problem which integrates the knowledge from several past approaches and is currently being empirically assessed with results being prepared for publication. The program produces reductions in anger levels, depression and misbehavior and an increase in self-esteem among participants, all maintained at 6 months.
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