Anger-Reactivity and Treatment Adherence among Court-Mandated Partner-Violent Men

Abstract

The primary aims of the present study were twofold: First, to examine the extent to which anger- related cognitions and anger arousal during the Articulated Thoughts During Simulated Situations ( ATSS) cognitive assessment were associated with psychological and physical abuse in a sample of court- mandated partner- violent men before treatment; and second, to examine the extent to which anger- related cognitions and anger arousal predicted treatment process and adherence variables in a sub- sample of these individuals. Results indicate that irrational beliefs had significant and positive relations with psychological and physical abuse at pretreatment. Furthermore, higher anger- reactivity, defined as the change in state anger from pre to post ATSS procedure, predicted lower treatment adherence as measured by homework compliance and treatment attendance. Results also indicated that higher anger- reactivity significantly predicted lower early therapist ratings of the working alliance. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.