Effectiveness of anger management training on depression, anxiety and stress in students

This study aimed to design an anger management package for high school students and to assess its effectiveness on their depression, anxiety, and stress.

The study was a single group quasi-experimental research with pretest-posttest design. A total of 39 students aged between 14 and 15 (M = 14.33 and SD = 0.48) were chosen using convenient sampling from Tehran City’s private schools and took part in 5 sessions based on cognitive-behavioral therapy. Multidimensional School Anger Inventory (MSAI, Smith, Furlong, Bates, and Laughlin, 1998) and Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS, Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) were answered by the participants before and after the intervention.

The results of repeated measures illustrated that anger management training improved destructive expressions and anger experience; however, positive coping did not change significantly. In addition, depression, anxiety and stress were also significantly diminished.

 In sum, it can be concluded that the designed anger management package for high school students has positive effects on students’ mental health. Therefore, anger management training for families is recommended.