RELAXATION AND COGNITIVE RELAXATION TREATMENTS OF GENERAL ANGER

Possible increased effectiveness from combining cognitive and relaxation coping skills (CRCS) in the treatment of anger was evaluated by comparing CRCS with relaxation coping skills (RCS) alone and a no-treatment control. Some process variables slightly favored CRCS over RCS. However, in comparison with controls, both CRCS and RCS led to equivalent, significant anger reduction on most indexes. Equivalent rates of clinically meaningful general anger reduction and of maintenance of anger and anxiety reduction were found at 1-year follow-up as well. Although outcomes for CRCS and RCS were not significantly different, CRCS may be the intervention of choice, especially for group interventions.