Disrupting the Anger Cycle: Evaluating a CBT Approach for Adolescents Affected by War in a Pretest-Posttest Analysis - Report - MDSpire

Disrupting the Anger Cycle: Evaluating a CBT Approach for Adolescents Affected by War in a Pretest-Posttest Analysis

  • By

  • Ahmad Maher Ibrahim Al Sayeh

  • Fernando Jesús Plaza del Pino

  • Walid Theeb Mohammad Abo Adas

  • April 21, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Disrupting the Anger Cycle in War-Affected Adolescents

Overview

This study evaluates a culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention aimed at reducing anger among war-traumatized adolescents in Jordan. Results indicate high feasibility and significant reductions in anger severity and improvements in emotion regulation following the intervention.

Background

War-traumatized adolescents face increased risks of anger dysregulation, which can adversely affect their mental health and social functioning. Effective interventions tailored to address anger in humanitarian contexts are scarce, making this study particularly relevant. Understanding and mitigating anger in this population is crucial for improving their overall well-being and community integration.

Data Highlights

{'table': {'Anger Severity': {'Pre-Intervention': 'Provide specific numerical values', 'Post-Intervention': 'Provide specific numerical values', 'Change': 'Specify statistical significance levels'}, 'Emotion Regulation': {'Pre-Intervention': 'Provide specific numerical values', 'Post-Intervention': 'Provide specific numerical values', 'Change': 'Specify statistical significance levels'}}}

Key Findings

  • The intervention was feasible with full participant retention.
  • Statistically significant reductions in anger severity were observed post-intervention.
  • Improvements in emotion regulation were noted among participants.
  • Outcomes were consistent across different nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • The absence of a control group limits causal interpretations of the findings.

Clinical Implications

The findings support the integration of culturally adapted CBT interventions into mental health services for war-affected adolescents. Clinicians should consider the importance of addressing anger dysregulation in this population to enhance their emotional and social functioning.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential of a culturally adapted CBT intervention to reduce anger among war-traumatized adolescents. Further research with randomized controlled designs is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

References

  1. npj Digital Medicine, 2024 -- A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Transdiagnostic Online Intervention for Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents
  2. BMC Psychiatry, 2024 -- A pilot randomized controlled trial of AI-delivered vs. human-delivered iCBT for depression in young adults
  3. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Young Individuals from Conflict-Affected Regions of Northeast Ethiopia
  4. A Minimum Service Package (MSP) to improve response to mental health and psychosocial needs in emergency situations - PMC, 2024
  5. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Outcomes and Implementation of a Short-Term Crisis Intervention for Adolescents Exhibiting Borderline Personality Traits: A Pre-Post Observational Analysis
  6. Psychological Interventions for Pediatric Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
  7. A Minimum Service Package (MSP) to improve response to mental health and psychosocial needs in emergency situations - PMC
  8. Trials Pfeiffer et al. Trials (2024) 25:3

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