An Investigation of the Short-term Impact of Interpretation Bias Modification Training on Anger Symptoms, Reactive Aggression, and Attentional Biases Toward Anger-related Stimuli
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 47
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Interpretation Bias Assessment
Study Overview
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.
Detailed 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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Students scoring 22 or higher on the Trait Anger Scale.
Exclusion Criteria
- •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.
Arms & Interventions
Interpretation bias modification program
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.
Intervention: Interpretation Bias Modification (Behavioral)
Control training program
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.
Intervention: Control Training Program (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Interpretation Bias Assessment
Time Frame: 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).
A computer-based measure of hostile interpretation bias involving ambiguous social scenarios.
State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2nd Edition
Time Frame: 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).
A self-report measure of the experience of anger.
Secondary Outcomes
- 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).)
- Reactive-Proactive Aggression 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).)
- Taylor Aggression Paradigm(Administered one time over the course of one week. Participants will be exposed to the paradigm following the second training session.)
Investigators
Monique Tremblay
Monique D Tremblay, M.A Ryerson University
Toronto Metropolitan University