Efficacy of anger management training based on cognitive-behavioral approach on mothers of children with mental retardation: 1-year follow-up

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present research is to investigate the efficacy of group anger management training, utilizing cognitive behavioral approach, on mother-child relationship. Method: The design of this study is quasi-experimental with pre and post testing without control group. This study was conducted on 35 mothers volunteered to participate in this research. Workshops lasted 7 weeks, 2hours weekly. Data were collected using Anger Evaluation Questionnaire (Zamani, 2007) and Multidimensional Anger Inventory (Sigel, 1986). Mothers completed questionnaires at pre test, post test and 12 month follow-up. Results: Findings of repeated measure analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the factors of anger-eliciting situations, external anger expression, anger arousal, and anger-in. Conclusion: In fact, after anger management training, parents showed significant reductions in the frequency of provocations and the intensity of anger in anger eliciting situations related to their children. These changes were maintained over 12 month follow-up.