Evaluation of a Children's Temper-Taming Program

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a group cognitive-behavioural therapy program in reducing anger and aggressive behaviour in children. Method: Study participants were 68 children aged 7 to 13 years and their parents. A total of 12 groups were run at an outpatient children's mental health centre. The children were referred to the groups by their clinician for assistance in reducing their aggressive behaviour. We obtained quantitative information on the effectiveness of the group from the children and their parents, who completed questionnaires before the first session and after the last session. The children completed the Children's Inventory of Anger (CIA), and the parents completed the Children's Hostility Inventory (CHI). We used t tests and analyses of covariance to test for posttreatment differences. Results: Results were available for 56 children. At posttreatment, children reported that the intensity of their anger had decreased (CIA, t41 = 4.39, P < 0.0001), and parents indicated a reduction in the frequency of aggression (CHI-Aggression, t44 = 2.82, P < 0.01) and hostility (CHI-Hostility, t44 = 4.93, P < 0.0001) in their children. Conclusions: The group program appeared to reduce children's anger and aggression. However, the results are preliminary, and further controlled evaluation is required.