The Effect of Anger Management Skills Training Program on Women Exposed to Domestic Violence: An Interventional Study

Domestic violence against the women is a common problem in the world. Providing health services in Iran contain anger management training intervention as a major step for reducing domestic violence and consequences. In this study, we evaluated the effect of stress and anger management training program, which belonged to the Iranian Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education. This randomized quasi-experimental study, with pre/posttests, was performed in 2018, in one of the health centers in Isfahan City, Iran. The score of anger management skills, as well as the prevalence exposure to violence were compared between two equal groups of 44 married woman with exposure to violence, without any interventions (control group), and with 4 sessions of training anger management skills (interventional group). Before and 3 month after training, anger management skills questionnaire and Iranian violence screening checklist were completed for both groups. Data were analyzed using analytical tests such as chi-square, t, and paired t, via SPSS software. Both groups were similar in age and exposure to violence (P = 0.530). The score of anger management skills before the training was 24.75 ± 9.92 and 23.25 ± 9.47 in interventional and control groups, respectively (P = 0.470). After training, the score became 31.30 ± 6.48 and 23.34 ± 8.72 in interventional and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The exposure to violence did not change in both groups after the intervention. The training program belonged to the Iranian Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education increased anger management skills in women. Many studies showed that other training methods are effective on anger management skills. Moreover, long-term studies even showed that exposure to domestic violence had been decreased.