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

Anger Clinical Trial

Official title:

An Investigation of the Short-term Impact of Interpretation Bias Modification Training on Anger Symptoms, Reactive Aggression, and Attentional Biases Toward Anger-related Stimuli

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03683979
• Other study ID #: Anger Study 1
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 12, 2019
• Est. completion date: March 13, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: March 2020
• Source: Ryerson University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 47
• Est. completion date: March 13, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: March 13, 2020
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

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.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Aggression
• Anger

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Interpretation Bias Modification
A computer based interpretation bias modification program that aims to reinforce neutral interpretations of ambiguous social situations.
• Control Training Program
A sham training program that is similar in design and delivery to the experimental training condition.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Ryerson University	Toronto	Ontario

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Ryerson University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

References & Publications (2)

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. — View Citation

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. Review. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2nd Edition	A self-report measure of the experience of anger.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Primary	Interpretation Bias Assessment	A computer-based measure of hostile interpretation bias involving ambiguous social scenarios.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Anger Rumination Scale	A self-report measure of the degree to individuals focus on experiences with anger. The scale is comprised of four subscales, angry after thoughts (e.g., "Whenever I experience anger, I keep thinking about it for a while"), angry memories (e.g., "I re-enact the anger episode in my mind after it has happened"), understanding causes (e.g., "When someone provokes me, I keep wondering why this should have happened to me"), and thoughts of revenge (e.g. "I have difficulty forgiving people who have hurt me."). Participants will be asked to read each item and rate it in terms of how well it reflects their experience on a 4-point scale from 1 ("almost never") to 4 ("almost always"). Totals for each sub scale will be summed to produce a total score (range: 19-76), with higher scores indicating a greater propensity for rumination.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Social Information Processing-Attribution and Emotional Response Questionnaire	A self-report measure of evaluate social information processing biases associated with hostile attribution bias.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Word Sentence Association Paradigm-Hostility	A behavioural measure of hostile attribution biases involving hostile and non-hostile words.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21	A self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. A self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.Items are summed for each subscale to create subscale totals (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress), with higher scores reflecting more severe emotional distress. Symptom score ranges include: normal (0-4), mild (5-6), moderate (7-10), severe (11-13), and extremely severe (14+).	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Dot Probe	A behavioural measure of attentional bias towards angry faces.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire	A self-report measure of an individual's propensity for reactive aggression.	Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).
Secondary	Taylor Aggression Paradigm	A behavioural measure of reactive aggression.	Administered one time over the course of one week. Participants will be exposed to the paradigm following the second training session.

External Links

•   Lab website