The Minnesota AVP Anger Study was the lead article in the Intl. J. of Trauma Research and Practice (first edition) this month. It is both a qualitative (anecdotal) report and a quantitative study using the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2). The latter "is a 57-item inventory which measures the following: (a) the intensity of anger as an emotional state (State An-ger); (b) the disposition to experience angry feelings as a personality trait (Trait Anger); (c) the frequency with which angry feelings are expressed inwardly and outwardly (Anger Expression); and (d) the frequency with which anger is controlled inwardly and outwardly (Anger Control)." There are some problems with the article, but probably the evidence of AVP's validity and effectiveness will hold up with further, larger studies that are likely to follow. This is ground-breaking, important work!
This article is dense and hard to read, however, the Figure 1 summary is very convincing:
"Figure 1 Change on State Anger and Trait Anger Among Inmates from Pre-Basic to Post-Basic to Post Advanced to Post Training for Facilitators (T4F) to Follow-up.
[Figure 1 on p. 12 of the journal not selectable for copying here.]
"The Trait Anger score is the most important of the subscales, because it indicates a more permanent change in the individual’s predisposition to anger. Figure 1 also shows the Trait Anger score showed a large, signif-icant reduction (p < .0005) and remained low at the two-year follow-up. The trait score dropped from 20 to 15. In comparison, the norming score for the test was 18.4, which is a typical trait anger level for people outside the prison community. Thus, the pre-AVP trait score started well above the trait anger level for the non-incarcerated community. After AVP participation, trait anger dropped significantly and remained low at the two-year follow-up. This is especially notable given that the inmates were still living in a toxic environment. Also, the Anger Expression Index, which measures an individual’s tendency to express his/her anger outwardly toward other people, or inwardly toward himself/herself, showed a large and signif-icant reduction (p < .0005)..."
"Figure 1 Change on State Anger and Trait Anger Among Inmates from Pre-Basic to Post-Basic to Post Advanced to Post Training for Facilitators (T4F) to Follow-up.
[Figure 1 on p. 12 of the journal not selectable for copying here.]
"The Trait Anger score is the most important of the subscales, because it indicates a more permanent change in the individual’s predisposition to anger. Figure 1 also shows the Trait Anger score showed a large, signif-icant reduction (p < .0005) and remained low at the two-year follow-up. The trait score dropped from 20 to 15. In comparison, the norming score for the test was 18.4, which is a typical trait anger level for people outside the prison community. Thus, the pre-AVP trait score started well above the trait anger level for the non-incarcerated community. After AVP participation, trait anger dropped significantly and remained low at the two-year follow-up. This is especially notable given that the inmates were still living in a toxic environment. Also, the Anger Expression Index, which measures an individual’s tendency to express his/her anger outwardly toward other people, or inwardly toward himself/herself, showed a large and signif-icant reduction (p < .0005)..."