Online Emotion Regulation-Based Intervention for Reducing Anger: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study investigated the effects of an online emotion regulation-based intervention on both trait- and state-anger among individuals with high trait-anger. The intervention consisted of one training session followed by six practice sessions, during which participants were instructed to either reappraise (n = 26), accept (n = 30), or act neutrally (n = 22) in response to their momentary anger. Following each practice session, participants received personalized feedback and guidelines for employing their assigned subsequent emotion regulation strategies in anger-provoking situations. State-anger ratings were collected during each practice session, and the trait-anger level was assessed at three-time points (before, after, and one month following the intervention). Results indicated a significant time effect for both state- and trait-anger, in the reappraisal and acceptance groups; however, neither strategy demonstrated a significant advantage over the control condition. Potential explanations are suggested, along with directions for further research.