This article explains the development and rationale for a therapeutic group with female offenders which provided a climate for exploring anger. A multi-faceted approach was utilized to assist women offenders in a maximum security prison learn to acknowledge, accept, and constructively release their anger. Outcomes included increased personal control, responsibility, and empathy. Other outcomes included an increased ability to generate and utilize alternatives which led to much more flexible, creative, and constructive responses when faced with anger provoking situations.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adler, G. (1982). Recent psychoanalytic contributions to the understanding and treatment of criminal behavior. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 26, 281-287.
2.
Bach, G. , & Wyden, P. (1968). The intimate enemy: How to fight fair in love and marriage. New York: Avon Books.
3.
Bardwick, J. (1971). Psychology of women: A study of biocultural conflicts. New York: Harper and Row.
4.
Bienvenu, M. (1976). Inventory of anger communication (IAC). 1976 Annual Handbook for Group Facilitators (pp. 79-85). University Associates, Inc.
5.
Bohart, A. (1977). Role playing and interpersonal conflict reduction. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 24, 15-24.
6.
Brown, B. (1984). Delinquency in the United States. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 30, 1-19.
7.
Cline-Naffziger, C. (1974). Women's lives and frustration, oppression, and anger: Some alternatives. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 21, 51-56.
8.
Coid, J. (1984). How many psychiatric patients in prisons?British Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 78-86.
9.
DSM-III; (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) (1980). American Psychiatric Association, 17000 18th St., N.W. Washington, D.C., 20009.
10.
Guze, S. (1976). Criminality and psychiatric disorders. New York: Oxford University Press.
11.
Hilliard, T. (1978). Applications of psychology and criminal justice system: A black perspective. The Journal of Black Psychology, 4, 65-81.
12.
Hotelling, K. , & Reese, K. (1983). Women and anger: Relearning in a group context. Journalfor Specialists in Group Work, 8, 9-16.
13.
Kirchner, E. , Kennedy, R., & Draguns, J. (1979). Assertion and aggression in adult offenders. Behavior Therapy, 10, 452-471.
14.
Lerner, H. (1980). Internal prohibitions against female anger. The American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 40, 137-148.
15.
Mueller, K., & Leidig, M. (1976). Women's anger andfeminist therapy. Unpublished manuscript, Boulder Mental Health Center and University of Colorado.
16.
Novaco, R. (1976). Treatment of chronic anger through cognitive and relaxation controls. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 44, 681-681.
17.
Petrella, R. (1978). Anger management with criminal offenders: Self control systematic desensitization and self recording (Doctoral dissertation, University of Washington, 1978). Dissertation Abstracts International, 39, 1495.
18.
Rimm, D. , Hill, G., Brown, N., & Stuart, J. (1974). Group assertive training in treatment of expression of inappropriate anger. Psychological Reports, 34, 791-798.
19.
Schramski, T. , & Harvey, D. (1983). The impact of psychodrama and role playing in the correctional environment. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 27, 243-254.
20.
Shope, G. , Hedrick, T., & Geen, R. (1978). Physical/verbal aggression: Sex differences in style. Journal of Personality, 46, 23-42.
21.
Walker, L. (1981). Are women's groups different?Psychotherapy, Research, and Practice, 18, 240-245.
