Effects of Structured Learning Therapy Upon Self-Control of Aggressive Puerto Rican Fathers

Abstract

Sixty fathers living in Puerto Rico with low socioeconomic backgrounds and documented histories of family-directed aggression were randomly assigned to an experimental (structured learning therapy or SLT) and a control condi tion. SLT produced a significant reduction in aggression on three dependent variables: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), direct skill measure, and minimal generalization- of-skill measure. No such reductions were noted for the control group. Initial group differences on two of the in struments (Buss-Durkee and a behavioral checklist) negated the assumption of equivalence on the instruments and precluded further interpretations of results based on them. No differences were found between groups on the extended generalization-of-skill measure. While the general effec tiveness of SLT as a means of reducing aggression among this population was generally sustained, the suggestion is made that it should be used in conjunction with other broader approaches aimed at ameliorating cultural sup port for male aggression in the family context.

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