Core irrational beliefs and maladaptive schemas in cognitive behavioral therapy for anger and aggression

Abstract

Aim of present research is to study the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an intervention program for treatment of clients (individuals and couples) with anger and aggression and finding the relationships of core/irrational beliefs and maladaptive schemas with anger, and aggression. Three studies are conducted among adults with anger and aggression. In first study, a randomized controlled trial, treatment group (n=17) received CBT and control group (n=16) received psychoeducation and relaxation training such as breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, and muscle relaxation for a duration of four months. Participants of the second study were couples who referred for treatment of anger and aggression. Treatment group (n=16) and control group (n=12) received cognitive behavioral couple therapy and relaxation training respectively for duration of five months. The participants of both studies completed the following four inventories before and after treatment: 1) State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory–2, 2) Novaco Anger Scale, 3) Anger Disorder Scale: Short, and 4) Aggression Questionnaire. Third study examined the relationships between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), anger, and aggression among 86 adult individuals in Anger therapy group (n=24), Control group (n=29), and Outpatients group (n=33). Following measures were used in third study: 1) Novaco Anger Scale and 2) Young Schema Questionnaire – Short Form, 3rd Edition. In the study 1 and 2, the results of the univariate test of within-subjects indicated that there is a significant reduction in the level of anger and aggression in the experimental group compared to the control group at the end of the treatment program. CBT is effective (low to moderate effect size) in helping clients (both individuals and couples) to reduce their anger and aggression by modifying their core/irrational beliefs. In study 3, results of multiple linear regression specified three core beliefs/schemas that are mostly related to anger: entitlement/grandiosity, mistrust/abuse, and abandonment/instability. The core beliefs/schemas predicting aggression were: entitlement/grandiosity, abandonment/ instability, and emotional deprivation. The next schemas that are associated and predicted anger and aggression are: insufficient self-control, unrelenting standards, approval seeking, subjugation, self-sacrifice, and punitiveness. Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in decreasing physiological dimension (trait anger, anger temperament, arousal, frequency), behavioral dimension (aggression, anger expression-out, verbal aggression, vengeance), and cognitive dimension (hostility, reactivity/ expression) of anger. CBT is also effective in increasing anger regulation and anger control.