Anger Coping Training (ACT) Program with Physically Aggressive Children: A Treatment Outcome Study

This dissertation, "Anger Coping Training (ACT) Program With Physically Aggressive Children: a Treatment Outcome Study" by Lai-chu, Annis, Fung, 馮麗姝, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled Anger Coping Training (ACT) Program With Physically Aggressive Children: A Treatment Outcome Study Submitted by FUNG Lai-chu, Annis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong in June 2004 Numerous studies have linked aggression during childhood with long-term maladjustments and anti-social behavior. Despite the alarming rise of aggression and violence in Hong Kong, there has been no evidence-based outcome study on anger control intervention. Aggression hinders development in the child and creates numerous problems in the family, school and community. The researcher reviewed the etiology of childhood aggression from the ecosystemic model, and implemented an indigenous Anger Coping Training (ACT) program for children aged 8-10 with physically aggressive behavior and their parents. Based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, the parent-child parallel group ACT program aimed to help reactively aggressive children in restructuring cognitive characteristics, reducing hostile attributional bias, increasing anger coping methods, and enhancing problem-solving abilities. In addition, the program sought to assist in developing parenting skills and styles in order to manage children's aggressive behaviors effectively, and decrease parental stress from dealing with aggressive children. This research program involved experimental and control groups with pre- and post- comparison using a mixed model research method. Qualitative data collection of the children's behavior, as well as the parenting styles and behaviors were assessed through structured interviews (children, parents and teachers); peer interactions; and the utilization of hypothetical scenarios. Quantitative data collection consisted of the completion of reliable self-report questionnaires, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Parent Stress Index (PSI), and the Child Behavior Checklist Teacher's Report Form (CBCL-TRF). Two pilot studies and the main study were conducted in cooperation with a professional team at St. James Settlement, which consisted of two social workers who served as facilitators of the parent and child groups. 18 out of 34 applicants were selected and divided between two experimental groups and one control group in accordance with the rule of randomization. There were no significant differences in the pre-treatment scores, and none of the demographic variables were statistically different among those three groups. Evidence demonstrated that the randomization in this study was effective. The effectiveness of the ACT program has been consistently verified. In post- intervention and follow-up studies the treated children showed a consistent reduction in their physically aggressive behavior; however, there was no obvious decline in their verbally aggressive behavior. Furthermore, findings showed that physical and verbal pro-social behaviors were increased in treated children. In conclusion, the ACT program was effective in lessening children's physically aggressive behavior, but not verbal aggression. For the parent component, the results of the PSI indicated that the ACT program was ineffective in reducing parental stress. The qualitative results showed evidence of changes in the children's cognitive characteristics, behavioral presentations, and affective reactions t