The Impact of Interpretation Bias Modification Training on Anger and Reactive Aggression

NCT ID: NCT03683979

Last Updated: 2020-03-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 47 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2019-09-12
• Study Completion Date: 2020-03-13

Brief Summary

Difficulties with anger control are reported in a number of psychological conditions and are associated with social problems, such as dating violence and workplace violence. High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. However, the cognitive processes contributing to high trait anger are still poorly understood. This study will examine the effectiveness of a computer-based cognitive bias modification (CBM) program designed to target hostile interpretations associated with high trait anger.

Detailed Description

High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. According to the Integrative Cognitive Model (ICM) of anger, three cognitive processes jointly contribute to an individual's level of trait anger and reactive aggression: hostile attributions, ruminative attention, and effortful control processes. Specifically, individuals high in trait anger are more prone to interpret ambiguous situations as hostile; are more likely to ruminate about anger-related events; and have a more limited capacity to employ control processes when they become angry.

One means of evaluating unconscious biases that has become increasingly popular is cognitive bias modification (CBM). CBM programs are computerized training paradigms, which aim to train more adaptive cognitive biases by repeatedly exposing participants to an experimental contingency between an emotional stimulus and a response.Previous researchers have begun to investigate the impact of CBMs targeting cognitive control and hostile attribution bias in relation to anger. However, these studies have been conducted exclusively in samples reporting low trait anger.

This study will examine the effectiveness of a short-term interpretation bias modification program (CBM-I) on hostile attribution biases and reactive aggression in a sample of undergraduate students eporting high trait anger.

Conditions

Anger

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Interpretation bias modification program

Participants in this arm will complete a computer-based training program two times in the lab. Participants will complete the first training session in the lab during their initial visit and they will return to the lab one week later to complete the second session.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Interpretation Bias Modification

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

A computer based interpretation bias modification program that aims to reinforce neutral interpretations of ambiguous social situations.

Control training program

Participants in this arm will complete a sham training program two times in the lab. The program will look similar in length and design to the experimental training program, but the content of the program will remain affectively neutral. As in the experimental condition, participants will complete the first training session in the lab during their initial visit and they will return to the lab one week later to complete the second session.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

Control Training Program

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

A sham training program that is similar in design and delivery to the experimental training condition.

Interventions

Interpretation Bias Modification

A computer based interpretation bias modification program that aims to reinforce neutral interpretations of ambiguous social situations.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Control Training Program

A sham training program that is similar in design and delivery to the experimental training condition.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Students scoring 22 or higher on the Trait Anger Scale.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Reports currently receiving psychological treatment or counseling for anger.

2. Reports changes in psychiatric medication within the last month.

3. Endorsement of current psychosis or bipolar disorder symptoms.

4. Indicates poor English language proficiency.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Toronto Metropolitan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Monique Tremblay

Monique D Tremblay, M.A Ryerson University

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Ryerson University

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

References

Hawkins KA, Cougle JR. Effects of interpretation training on hostile attribution bias and reactivity to interpersonal insult. Behav Ther. 2013 Sep;44(3):479-88. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2013.04.005. Epub 2013 Apr 19.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 23768674 (View on PubMed)

Wilkowski BM, Robinson MD. The cognitive basis of trait anger and reactive aggression: an integrative analysis. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2008 Feb;12(1):3-21. doi: 10.1177/1088868307309874. Epub 2007 Dec 18.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 18453470 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Anger Study 1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id