Anger is a human emotion that frequently results in aggression and violence (Burney, 2001). The expression for the same differs across the various age groups, among men and women and also in different cultures across the world. As we have already discussed anger management in children in our previous article, here we will discuss some anger management techniques in adolescents. McKellar (1994) defined anger as a negative reaction to a stimulus event. According to Peterson & Hamburg (1986) the use of violence and aggression increases during adolescent years and is sustained throughout adulthood. They can express their anger through assertive behaviours which is a productive use of anger, they can also express through passive behaviour which is ignoring the anger as it makes them feel uncomfortable which in reality increases the stress; they also display aggressive behaviours towards people, animals and object damaging relationships.
The main causes for such behaviour can be attributed to the following factors:
- lack of family support;
- children growing up in families which lack family management and parenting skills;
- use of extensive physical punishment;
- parent’s failure to use consistent and contingent reinforcement and failure to teach reasonable levels of compliance.
Teenage anger can also be triggered from external and internal situations such as social confusion, puberty causing hormonal changes in the body, stress, hunger, any traumatic event, peer pressure, extremely negative role models or substance abuse (L. Pullen, M.A. Modcrin, S.L. McGurie, K. Lane, M. Kearnely & S. Engle, 2015).
Anger management issues lead to both behavioural and emotional expression. It can cause teens to make poor decisions, become argumentative, develop depression or anxiety, act out violently, fight with peers and parents, shout, scream or become aggressive or begin the use of drugs or alcohol (R. Nasir & N. Abd Ghani, 2014).
Problems associated with anger and aggression can be seen in antisocial behaviours, in particular delinquency, conduct disorder can lead to adjustment issues in later life. Adolescents are seen to get more involved in aggressive behaviour in interpersonal contexts.
Parents can largely contribute to the development of anger management skills in adolescents. Every family has different expectations of expression and handling anger, those set rules should be clearly communicated to the teen. The difference between angry feelings and aggressive behaviour and its related consequences should be taught; teens should also be taught assertiveness skills to enable them to respond when someone else tries to violate their space or takes advantage of them; they should be taught to recognize their physical signs of anger so that they themselves take few basic steps such as deep breathes, taking a break or counting to 10 in mind. Self-directed time-outs provide a brief cool-down and gather their thoughts. Teaching problem-solving skills can lead the child to grow more confident without resorting to any sort of violence. Also, children learn a lot through seeing others, therefore parents’ being role models can teach appropriate ways to deal with angry feelings. Lastly, parent’s providing a child with reassurance in both word and deed, acceptance, undivided attention, validation can help the child to resist their emotions even when they feel frustrated (J.D. Coatsworth, L.G. Duncan, M.T. Greenberg & L.R. Nix, 2010).
Few techniques by which adolescents’ themselves can manage their anger and reduce their irritability includes –
- practising relaxation techniques like yoga, progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery;
- getting physical exercise for the regulation of endorphins in the body contributing to better sleep and maintained anxiety level;
- keeping a journal which proves to be very useful in identifying patterns over time;
- listening to music can also produce noticeable hormonal changes;
- It is extremely important for adolescents to know when and where to get professional help.
- Among therapies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has proved to be very useful in anger management, as it helps to understand the triggers and their root causes and provides techniques as solutions that can be used in the face of those problems (E.L. Feindler & R.B. Ecton, 1986).
- Also, Cognitive-Behavioural Anger Control Skills Training for adolescents includes methods such as general therapeutic strategies; arousal management skill training relaxation training; cognitive restructuring interventions; self-management and social skills training.
Results of many recent studies that the above-mentioned interventions for adolescents are effective for the management of anger issues. Therefore, these techniques and their use should be more encouraged to help them as it’s a few of the most crucial years in one’s life.
– Urveez Kakalia and Annesha Datta.