Treating anger and aggression in military populations: Research updates and clinical implications.

Morland, Leslie A.; Love, Allison R.; Mackintosh, Margaret‐Anne; Greene, Carolyn J.; Rosen, Craig S.

doi:10.1111/cpsp.12007

Cited by 54 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…To more directly address this issue of causation and the feasibility of targeting aggression to reduce suicide risk, future research should assess the effects of anger treatment on suicide risk. A number of interventions have been developed to target anger and aggression in the military (e.g., Linkh & Sonnek, ; Shea, Lambert, & Reddy, ), but assessments of their effectiveness are limited (Morland, Love, Mackintosh, Greene, & Rosen, ), particularly as it relates to their impact on suicidality. In light of this, Morland et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting Suicide Ideation in the Military: The Independent Role of Aggression

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Allard

Adler

et al. 2018

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between aggression and suicide ideation when controlling for other externalizing (i.e., alcohol misuse and risk-taking) and internalizing (i.e., depression and sleep problems) risk factors in an active duty, military sample. Preexisting data from a longitudinal study were analyzed to assess the wellness of service members across the deployment cycle. Participants were 944 active duty service members (95% male, 48% between 18 and 24 years old) who completed surveys upon initial return from deployment and approximately 3 months later. After controlling for other externalizing (alcohol misuse, risk-taking) and internalizing (depression, sleep problems) risk factors, service members reporting aggression were significantly more likely to report suicide ideation than those reporting no aggression (OR = 3.19; OR 95% CI: 1.16-8.80). The independent nature of the relationship between anger and suicidality suggests aggression may be an important indicator of suicidality for service members. Understanding the role of aggression in suicidality may improve the ability to identify at-risk service members and to develop effective interventions to reduce suicide risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In light of this, Morland et al. () advocated for the development and evaluation of evidence‐based anger interventions that target service members’ anger holistically (e.g., family‐focused) and unobtrusively (e.g., technology‐based interventions).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting Suicide Ideation in the Military: The Independent Role of Aggression

Start

Allard

Adler

et al. 2018

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

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“…In addition, ex‐combatants present with tendencies towards aggressive behaviour. These enhanced violent reactions are particularly associated with the hypervigilance symptom cluster of (combat‐related) PTSD (Jones, ; Klostermann, Mignone, Kelley, Musson, & Bohall, ; MacManus, Dean, & Jones, ; Morland, Love, Mackintosh, Greene, & Rosen, ). Subsequent to the experience of combat high (Grossman, , p. 243; Köbach, Schaal, & Elbert, ; Köbach et al ., in press), ex‐combatants did however also reported a shift towards perceiving self‐exerted violence as appealing (appetitive aggression; e.g., Elbert, Weierstall, & Schauer, ; Weierstall, Schaal, Schalinski, Dusingizemungu, & Elbert, ; Hecker, Hermenau, Maedl, Elbert, & Schauer, ; Weierstall et al ., ; Crombach & Elbert, ).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…For NET, Stenmark, Guzey, Elbert, and Holen () demonstrated that effects were smaller in ex‐combatants than in those who have never held a combatant status. Potential reasons for the reduced effect may include appetitive perceptions of violence (Elbert et al ., ; Köbach et al ., ), anger (Morland et al ., ; Forbes et al ., ; Forbes, Creamer, Hawthorne, Allen, & McHugh, ) and/or feelings of guilt (Kubany, ).…”

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confidence: 99%

Psychotherapeutic Intervention in the Demobilization Process: Addressing Combat‐related Mental Injuries with Narrative Exposure in a First and Second Dissemination Stage

Koebach

Schaal

Hecker

et al. 2015

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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BackgroundDepending on the exposure to traumatic stressors and combat, 20% to 50% of ex‐combatants present with trauma‐related disorders, and more than half of the members of armed groups have a proclivity to violence. Therefore, psychotherapeutic assistance should address both, trauma‐related suffering and the lowered threshold for aggressive behaviour.ObjectiveSupporting the demobilization process of ex‐combatants in the eastern DR‐Congo, we implemented a version of Narrative Exposure Therapy adapted for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET).MethodIn two successive dissemination stages (DS), local counsellors conducted FORNET. In DS1, they were trained by clinical experts, and in DS2, the by then experienced counsellors trained and supervised a second group of local counsellors (DS2). The training consisted of a 3‐week workshop covering theoretical concepts and practical therapeutic skills. In DS1 and DS2, a total of 98 demobilizing combatants received an intervention; treatment‐as‐usual served as the control condition. Posttraumatic stress disorder, appetitive aggression, depression severity and drug dependence were assessed prior to the intervention and 6 and 12 months later; additionally, we assessed reintegration success.ResultsSix months post‐intervention, FORNET significantly reduced Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms but had less effect on the trait of appetitive aggression; moreover, beneficial effects were found for depression severity and drug dependence as well as for reintegration indices. Treatment gains were retained at 12 months.ConclusionsIndividuals without previous training in psychotherapy can learn to effectively apply the brief intervention FORNET and support the demobilization process in ongoing conflicts. The study suggests that it is possible to pass down psychotherapeutic techniques over generations of counsellors. © 2015 The Authors. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Key Practitioner Message Posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression and clinically relevant levels of drug dependence can effectively be reduced with a version of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) adapted for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET).The intervention is effective in the context of ongoing conflict.Individuals without previous training in psychotherapy can learn to effectively apply the brief intervention FORNET.It is possible to pass down psychotherapeutic techniques like FORNET over generations of counsellors.Psychotherapeutic interventions like FORNET may facilitate the transition to peace in war‐torn regions.

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“…1 PTSD is a common mental health disorder experienced by combat Veterans and is associated with high levels of depression, 2 substance abuse, 3 medical comorbidity, 4 mortality, 5 healthcare service use, 6,7 and impaired functioning. [8][9][10] Apart from the distress and reduced quality of life associated with this disorder, military Veterans with PTSD and their families are often confronted with job loss, 11 poor family functioning, 12 homelessness, 13 anger, violence, 14,15 and incarceration. 16 Approximately 11% of patients served by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system have been diagnosed with PTSD.…”

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confidence: 99%