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

NCT03683979 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Anger Study 1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 47
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Anger

Keywords

Reactive aggression; High trait anger; Cognitive bias modification; Interpretation bias modification

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 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).

• 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 Outcomes (7)

• Anger Rumination Scale

  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).

• Social Information Processing-Attribution and Emotional Response Questionnaire

  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).

• Word Sentence Association Paradigm-Hostility

  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).

• Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21

  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).

• Dot Probe

  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).

Study Arms (2)

Interpretation bias modification program

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: Interpretation Bias Modification

Control training program

SHAM COMPARATOR

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.

Behavioral: Control Training Program

Interventions

Interpretation Bias Modification BEHAVIORAL

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

Interpretation bias modification program

Control Training Program BEHAVIORAL

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

Control training program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \. Students scoring 22 or higher on the Trait Anger Scale.

You may not qualify if:

• Reports currently receiving psychological treatment or counseling for anger.
• Reports changes in psychiatric medication within the last month.
• Endorsement of current psychosis or bipolar disorder symptoms.
• Indicates poor English language proficiency.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Toronto Metropolitan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ryerson University

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada

Location

Related 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.

  PMID: 23768674 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 18453470 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Monique D Tremblay, M.A Ryerson University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 22, 2018
• First Posted: September 25, 2018
• Study Start: September 12, 2019
• Primary Completion: March 13, 2020
• Study Completion: March 13, 2020
• Last Updated: March 24, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)