A systemic approach to CBT-based anger management group intervention for men with learning disabilities and their family/carers

The individualised CBT-based anger management treatment (Taylor et al., 2005) developed for inpatient settings was adapted for a group setting in the community. It was used systemically for men with a learning disability diagnosis. Participants’ family members or carers were involved in the intervention to help further support participants outside and beyond the group sessions. Fourteen sessions were divided into two phases: the preparatory phase and the intervention phase. Four participants attended the group. Staxi-2 (Spielberg, 1999) was used as a pre- and post-outcome measure. Participants did show improvement in internalised and external expression of anger control. Positive feedback was received six months after the intervention was completed. Easy to read summary ■ We used an anger management intervention aide for one-to-one sessions in a hospital for people with learning disability ■ We changed it to use as a group programme for people with learning disabilities living in the community. ■ We included families/carers in the group intervention to support people with learning disabilities taking part. ■ We ran 14 sessions, and there were four participants in the group ■ After the group intervention, participants were better at managing their anger ■ Families and carers gave positive feedback after six months.