Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies

Abstract
Background & Objectives: In contrast to traditional treatment models that focus on the damaging aspects of anger in isolation, recent research examines anger within the interconnected network of all schema mentalities. In the new network perspective, it is proposed that the pathological elements mutually influence each other, and that the network of symptoms, including central and peripheral elements, must first be identified. After identifying the network of symptoms in the formulation of anger, the components of each central element should be given priority in treatment. Schema modes therapy is consistent with the network perspective. This model includes dysfunctional schema modes and healthy schema modes. In schema modes therapy, it is possible to identify the central modes in the experience of anger and, in turn, tailor this model to anger. Also, since the variables of threat perception, worry, and anger rumination have the most research support on anger, the effectiveness of this tailored therapy on these variables can be assessed. Therefore, the present study was conducted to develop and validate a schema–modes–based anger management training package and to determine its effectiveness on threat perception, worry, and anger rumination.
Methods: The research method was a mixed one (sequential exploratory design). The statistical population comprised all students of Allameh Tabataba'i University in 2023–2024, and the samples were purposively selected. The research was conducted in two parts: qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative research included three samples. Based on findings from three samples in the qualitative section, the content of the schema modes therapy was tailored and compiled into a training package. In the quantitative section, 30 samples were assigned to an experimental and a control group (15 in each) after homogeneous selection and a block design.
The follow–up phase was implemented 2 months later. Data were collected using semi–structured interviews, the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger et al. 1999), the Looming Maladaptive Style Questionnaire (Riskind et al., 2000), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Meyer et al., 1990), the Anger Rumination Scale (Sukhodolsky et al., 2001), the Self–report Personality Questionnaire for Personality Disorders of DSM–5 (First et al., 2016), and the Symptom Checklist–Revised (SCL–90) (Derogatis et al., 1973). The themes identified in the qualitative section, as central elements (main schema mindsets) in anger, served as the basis for developing an anger management training package. The transformation of the obtained content into a training package involved adjusting the treatment content based on schema mindsets and integrating and adapting the results into the pre–existing model. No intervention was performed for the control group. In the quantitative part, the experimental group members received the anger management training package in 10 sessions. The research data were analyzed in SPSS statistical software version 26 using a 1–way repeated–measures analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test. To examine differences between the two groups in terms of the age variable, an independent t–test was used; to examine differences in terms of the gender variable, a Chi–square test was used. The significance level of the tests was set at 0.05.
Results: In the qualitative section, using the thematic analysis approach, three themes of child modes, coping modes, and punitive parent mode were obtained. In the quantitative section, the effects of time (p<0.001), group (p<0.001), and the interaction between time and group (p<0.001) on the research variables (anger rumination, worry, and threat perception) were significant. Also, the mean scores of the research variables in the experimental group in the posttest and follow–up significantly decreased compared to the pretest (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the research results, the tailored anger management training package based on schema modes is beneficial in reducing threat perception, worry, and anger rumination, and its effectiveness is sustainable over time.