The Emasculating Power of Anger
The December 2005 issue of Scientific American (p. 97) mentions that during stress (or anger), the functioning of the reproductive organs are suppressed. This is a useful survival trait — if you're trying to outrun a sabre-toothed tiger, you don't need an erection!
In our modern world, however, repeated stress and anger supresses the functioning of both male and female reproductive organs, sometimes even leading to infertility. This, too, is a survival trait — perpetually angry and stressed couples may not be able to reproduce. In a way it's nature's way of preventing child abuse.
A better survival trait, however, is learning to manage stress and anger. Anger management classes based on the Anderson & Anderson Model train students in the skills of stress management and help the to better understand and manage their anger. Additionally, they teach more effective communication techniques that can help prevent anger from surfacing in the first place. Finally, the teach emotional intelligence, which is the capstone in managing anger.
So guys, what will it be? A lifetime of $10 little blue pills or a few weeks spent learning to manage anger and stress?
posted by John Elder, MFT at 03:01
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2 Comments:
I would like to know the statistics as to how many people in anger management classes were helped and how many cured (ie-no relapses)
Anger management doesn't use the addiction model, so a "cure" of "no relapses" doesn't really apply. I doubt that anybody has made it to "no relapses." Anger management isn't about never getting angry again, it's about improved handling of anger or even learning to act and think in a manner to prevent anger.
Some statistics do exist. A cohort of social workers who trained in anger management facilitation for 16 hours showed a 5% improvement in emotional intelligence and their ability to communicate assertively (as opposed to aggressively or passively).
People who had already had a first heart attack were divided into two groups, one did relaxation exercises, the other took an anger management class. The anger management group had 44% fewer second heart attacks!
Other research has shown that, on average, cognitive-behaviorally based anger management classes provide a 50% mean effect. In practical terms, that means that people moved from averaging 25% to averaging about 75% in their ability to handle anger as compared with the population at large (1st/2nd quartile boundary -> 3rd/4th quartile boundary).
From my experience in teaching, I'd say that about 50% "get it" and tell of meaningful change in their lives. Another 25% really "get it" and seem to handle trigger situations with exceptional grace.
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