Understanding Clinical Anger and Violence: The Anger Avoidance Model

Gardner, Frank L.; Moore, Zella E.

doi:10.1177/0145445508319282

Cited by 128Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesEmotions and Moral BehaviorBullying, Victimization, and Aggression

Understanding Clinical Anger and Violence: The Anger Avoidance Model

Gardner, Frank L., Moore, Zella E.·2008·Behavior Modification

DOI 10.1177/0145445508319282

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Although anger is a primary emotion and holds clear functional necessities, the presence of anger and its behavioral manifestations of aggression/violence can have serious emotional, health, and social consequences. Despite such consequences, the construct of clinical anger has to date suffered from few theoretical and treatment advancements and has received insufficient research attention. Thus, the purpose of this article is to introduce the Anger Avoidance Model, which is a new conceptualization of clinical anger and its behavioral manifestations. The Anger Avoidance Model suggests that among anger patients, a chronic early aversive history leads to information processing biases and emotion regulation deficits, which in turn result in intense efforts to avoid the experience of anger. This avoidance takes the form of hostile rumination (cognitive avoidance) and aggressive and violent behavior (behavioral avoidance). This model holds clear implications for research and treatment of this challenging clinical phenomenon.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1177/0145445508319282

Cites

39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Aggressive behavior leads to further decline in support over time for veterans with PTSD.
“Veterans with PTSD frequently act aggressively to control or avoid interactions with others (i.e., another form of experiential avoidance) [19,20], leading to further decline in support over time.”
From A Randomized Pilot Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
Veterans with PTSD frequently act aggressively to control or avoid interactions with others.
“Veterans with PTSD frequently act aggressively to control or avoid interactions with others (i.e., another form of experiential avoidance) [19,20], leading to further decline in support over time.”
From A Randomized Pilot Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [20]

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Williams, J. B. W., & First, M. B. (2013) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.104 · Cited by 109,842 · see citing works
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Widiger, T. A. (2000) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1037/10518-009 · Cited by 19,767 · see citing works
Tripartite model of anxiety and depression: psychometric evidence and taxonomic implications.
Clark, L., & Watson, D. (1991) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037//0021-843x.100.3.316 · Cited by 4,616 · see citing works
Tripartite model of anxiety and depression: psychometric evidence and taxonomic implications
Clark, L. A., & Watson, D. (1991) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-843x.100.3.316 · Cited by 4,601 · see citing works
Writing About Emotional Experiences as a Therapeutic Process
Pennebaker, J. W. (1997) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.1997.tb00403.x · Cited by 2,486 · see citing works
Anxiety and Its Disorders: The Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic
Otto, M. (1989) · Psychosomatics · doi:10.1016/s0033-3182(89)72285-4 · Cited by 1,581 · see citing works
Comorbidity of anxiety and unipolar mood disorders
Mineka, S., Watson, D., & Clark, L. A. (1998) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.49.1.377 · Cited by 1,573 · see citing works
Current and lifetime comorbidity of the DSM-IV anxiety and mood disorders in a large clinical sample.
Brown, T. A., Campbell, L. A., Lehman, C. L., Grisham, J. R., & Mancill, R. B. (2001) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037//0021-843x.110.4.585 · Cited by 1,562 · see citing works
Toward a unified treatment for emotional disorders
Barlow, D. H., Allen, L. B., & Choate, M. L. (2004) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(04)80036-4 · Cited by 1,430 · see citing works
Does Venting Anger Feed or Extinguish the Flame? Catharsis, Rumination, Distraction, Anger, and Aggressive Responding
Bushman, B. J. (2002) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167202289002 · Cited by 831 · see citing works
Worry: A Cognitive Phenomenon Intimately Linked to Affective, Physiological, and Interpersonal Behavioral Processes
Borkovec, T. D., Ray, W. J., & Stober, J. (1998) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1023/a:1018790003416 · Cited by 802 · see citing works
Differentiating anxiety and depression: A test of the cognitive content-specificity hypothesis.
Beck, A. T., Brown, G. P., Steer, R. A., Eidelson, J. I., & al, E. (1987) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037//0021-843x.96.3.179 · Cited by 707 · see citing works
Do people aggress to improve their mood? Catharsis beliefs, affect regulation opportunity, and aggressive responding.
Bushman, B. J., Baumeister, R. F., & Phillips, C. M. (2001) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.1.17 · Cited by 610 · see citing works
Untitled work
(1994) · Cited by 553 · see citing works
How Many Emotions Are There? Wedding the Social and the Autonomic Components
Kemper, T. D. (1987) · American Journal of Sociology · doi:10.1086/228745 · Cited by 534 · see citing works
Differentiating anxiety and depression: A test of the cognitive content-specificity hypothesis.
Beck, A. T., Brown, G. P., Steer, R. A., et al. (1987) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-843x.96.3.179 · Cited by 529 · see citing works
The impact of fear activation and anger on the efficacy of exposure treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder
Foa, E. B., Riggs, D. S., Massie, E. D., & Yarczower, M. (1995) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(05)80096-6 · Cited by 496 · see citing works
Adaptive and maladaptive components of rumination? Diagnostic specificity and relation to depressive biases.
Joormann, J., Dkane, M., & Gotlib, I. (2006) · The Behavior Therapist · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2006.01.002 · Cited by 488 · see citing works
Emotional processing, three modes of mind and the prevention of relapse in depression
Teasdale, J. D. (1999) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7967(99)00050-9 · Cited by 481 · see citing works
Treatment for chronic depression: Cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP).
McCullough, J. P. (2003) · Journal of Psychotherapy Integration · doi:10.1037/1053-0479.13.3-4.241 · Cited by 459 · see citing works
Effectiveness of anger treatments for specific anger problems: A meta-analytic review
Vecchio, T. D., & O’Leary, K. D. (2003) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2003.09.006 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Anger Treatment for Adults: A Meta-Analytic Review
Digiuseppe, R. A., & Tafrate, R. C. (2003) · Clinical Psychology Science and Practice · doi:10.1093/clipsy.10.1.70 · Cited by 263 · see citing works
The role of masculine ideology and masculine gender role stress in men's perpetration of relationship violence.
Jakupcak, M., Lisak, D., & Roemer, L. (2002) · Psychology of Men & Masculinity · doi:10.1037/1524-9220.3.2.97 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Anger experience and expression in social anxiety disorder: Pretreatment profile and predictors of attrition and response to cognitive-behavioral treatment
Erwin, B. A., Heimberg, R. G., Schneier, F. R., & Liebowitz, M. R. (2003) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(03)80004-7 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Anger Disorders: Basic Science and Practice Issues
Kassinove, H., & Sukhodolsky, D. G. (1995) · Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing · doi:10.3109/01460869509087270 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
Overt Anger in Response to Victimization: Attributional Style and Organizational Norms as Moderators.
Aquino, K. F., Douglas, S., & Martinko, M. J. (2004) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/1076-8998.9.2.152 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Emotional processing and panic
Baker, R., Holloway, J., Thomas, P. W., Thomas, S., & Owens, M. (2004) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2003.09.002 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Combat guilt and its relationship to PTSD symptoms
Henning, K., & Frueh, B. C. (1997) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-4679(199712)53:8 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
High general anger: Correlates and treatment
Deffenbacher, J. L., Demm, P. M., & Brandon, A. D. (1986) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/0005-7967(86)90014-8 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Emotional processing, with special reference to post-traumatic stress disorder
Rachman, S. (2001) · International Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/09540260120074028 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
The association between testosterone and aggression among young men: Empirical findings and a meta-analysis
Archer, J. E., Birring, S. S., & Wu, F. C. W. (1998) · Aggressive Behavior · doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-2337(1998)24:6 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Anger Management: The Complete Treatment Guidebook for Practitioners
Kassinove, H., & Tafrate, R. C. (2002) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Treatment for chronic depression: cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP)
Wiersma, J., van Schaik, A., Blom, M. B. J., Bakker, L., van Oppen, P., & Beekman, A. T. F. (2000) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.37-5963 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Interpretation biases in angry and anxious individuals
Wenzel, A. E., & Lystad, C. M. (2004) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2004.02.009 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Major Depressive Disorder with Anger: A Bipolar Spectrum Disorder?
Benazzi, F. (2003) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000073026 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Remembering Old Flames: How the Past Affects Assessments of the Present
Clark, L. F., & Collins, J. E. (1993) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167293194005 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Anger-Related Disorders: Basic Issues, Models, and Diagnostic Considerations.
Kassinove, H., & Tafrate, R. C. (2006) · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Readiness to Change PTSD Symptoms and Other Problems Among Veterans Participating in a Motivation Enhancement Group.
Murphy, R. T., Cameron, R. P., Sharp, L., Ramı́rez, G., Rosen, C. S., Drescher, K. D., & Gusman, F. D. (2004) · Behavior Therapy · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Untitled work
Nemeroff (1998) · doi:10.1002/(sici)1520-6394(1998)8:1+

Flagged first, then by citations

Sorted by citations

Emotion regulation and aggression
Roberton, T., Daffern, M., & Bucks, R. S. (2011) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2011.09.006 · Cited by 599 · see citing works
Mindfulness: Top–down or bottom–up emotion regulation strategy?
Chiesa, A., Serretti, A., & Jakobsen, J. C. (2013) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.10.006 · Cited by 470 · see citing works
Conservation of Resources Theory
Holmgreen, L., Tirone, V., Gerhart, J. I., & Hobfoll, S. E. (2017) · doi:10.1002/9781118993811.ch27 · Cited by 289 · see citing works
Masculinity, emotion regulation, and psychopathology: A critical review and integrated model
Berke, D. S., Reidy, D., & Zeichner, A. (2018) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2018.01.004 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Maladaptive emotion regulation and aggression in adult offenders
Roberton, T., Daffern, M., & Bucks, R. S. (2014) · Psychology Crime and Law · doi:10.1080/1068316x.2014.893333 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Emotion dysregulation, negative affect, and aggression: A moderated, multiple mediator analysis
Donahue, J. J., Goranson, A. C., McClure, K. S., & Male, L. M. V. (2014) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2014.06.009 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Beyond anger control: Difficulty attending to emotions also predicts aggression in offenders.
Roberton, T., Daffern, M., & Bucks, R. S. (2014) · Psychology of Violence · doi:10.1037/a0037214 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
When a smile becomes a fist: the perception of facial and bodily expressions of emotion in violent offenders
Kret, M. E., & de Gelder, B. (2013) · Experimental Brain Research · doi:10.1007/s00221-013-3557-6 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Transdiagnostic cognitive processes in high trait anger
Owen, J. M. (2010) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.10.003 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Associations among experiential avoidance, couple adjustment, and interpersonal aggression in returning Iraqi war veterans and their partners
Reddy, M. K., Meis, L. A., Erbes, C. R., Polusny, M. A., & Compton, J. S. (2011) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0023929 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Social Functioning in Individuals With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
Scoglio, A. A. J., Reilly, E. D., Girouard, C. M., Quigley, K. S., Carnes, S., & Kelly, M. M. (2020) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838020946800 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
A network analysis of anger, shame, proposed ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder, and different types of childhood trauma in foster care settings in a sample of adult survivors
Glück, T. M., Knefel, M., & Lueger‐Schuster, B. (2017) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1372543 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Emerging perspectives on adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders, violence, and criminal law.
Lerner, M. D., Haque, O. S., Northrup, E. C., Lawer, L., & Bursztajn, H. J. (2012) · PubMed · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Shame and borderline personality features: The potential mediating role of anger and anger rumination.
Peters, J. R., Geiger, P. J., Smart, L. M., & Baer, R. A. (2013) · Personality Disorders Theory Research and Treatment · doi:10.1037/per0000022 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Masculine Discrepancy Stress, Emotion-Regulation Difficulties, and Intimate Partner Violence
Berke, D. S., Reidy, D. E., Gentile, B., & Zeichner, A. (2016) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260516650967 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Anxiety and aggression in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders attending mainstream schools
Ambler, P. G., Eidels, A., & Gregory, C. (2015) · Research in Autism · doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2015.07.005 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Experiential avoidance and interpersonal problems: A moderated mediation model
Gerhart, J. I., Baker, C. N., Hoerger, M., & Ronan, G. F. (2014) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.08.003 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Variability in negative emotions among individuals with chronic low back pain: relationships with pain and function
Gerhart, J. I., Burns, J. W., Bruehl, S. P., Smith, D. A., Post, K. M., Porter, L. S., Schuster, E., Buvanendran, A., Fras, A. M., & Keefe, F. J. (2017) · Pain · doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001102 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
A review of anger, hostility, and aggression from an ACT perspective
Berkout, O. V., Tinsley, D., & Flynn, M. K. (2018) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.12.001 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Exploring public attitudes of child abuse in mainland China: A sentiment analysis of China’s social media Weibo
Lyu, Y., Chow, J. C., & Hwang, J.-J. (2020) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105250 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Alterations in the Emotional Regulation Process in Gambling Addiction: The Role of Anger and Alexithymia
Maniaci, G., Picone, F., van Holst, R. V., Bolloni, C., Scardina, S., & Cannizzaro, C. (2017) · Journal of Gambling Studies · doi:10.1007/s10899-016-9636-4 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Regulating road rage
Bjureberg, J., & Gross, J. J. (2021) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12586 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
A bio-psycho-social model of violence related to mental health problems
Steinert, T., & Whittington, R. (2013) · International Journal of Law and Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2013.01.009 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
The Relationship Between Anger, Childhood Maltreatment, and Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Intimate Partner and Non-Intimate Partner Violent Offenders
Gardner, F. L., Moore, Z. E., & Dettore, M. (2014) · Behavior Modification · doi:10.1177/0145445514539346 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Traumatic Stress in Overview: Definition, Context, Scope, and Long-Term Outcomes
Gerhart, J. I., Canetti, D., & Hobfoll, S. E. (2015) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-18866-9_1 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
The Influence of Internalizing Symptoms and Emotion Dysregulation on the Association Between Witnessed Community Violence and Aggression Among Urban Adolescents
Cooley, J. L., Ritschel, L. A., Frazer, A. L., & Blossom, J. B. (2019) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-019-00890-9 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Consequences of child maltreatment victimisation in internalising and externalising mental health problems
Vázquez, M. V., Amado, B. G., Seijo, D., Selaya, A., & Fernández, R. A. (2022) · Legal and Criminological Psychology · doi:10.1111/lcrp.12212 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Experiential avoidance as a mediator of the association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and social support: A longitudinal analysis
Kelly, M. M., DeBeer, B. B., Meyer, E. C., Kimbrel, N. A., Gulliver, S. B., & Morissette, S. B. (2019) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000375 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
The application and adoption of four ‘third wave’ psychotherapies for mental health difficulties and aggression within correctional and forensic settings: A systematic review
Byrne, G., & Ní Ghráda, Á. (2019) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2019.01.001 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
A Randomized Pilot Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD
Kelly, M. M., Reilly, E. D., Ameral, V., Richter, S., & Fukuda, S. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm11123482 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Compassion focused therapy for anger: A pilot study of a group intervention for veterans with PTSD
Grodin, J. P., Clark, J. L., Kolts, R., & Lovejoy, T. (2019) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.06.004 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Anger and emotion regulation strategies: a meta-analysis
Pop, G. V., Nechita, D., Miu, A. C., & Szentágotai-Tătar, A. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-91646-0 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Anger Expression, Momentary Anger, and Symptom Severity in Patients with Chronic Disease
Russell, M. A., Smith, T. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2015) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-015-9747-7 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Relationship between Parenting Style, Alexithymia and Aggression in Emerging Adults
McErlean, A. B. J., & Lim, L. X. C. (2019) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x19886647 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
The rewarding nature of provocation-focused rumination in women with borderline personality disorder: a preliminary fMRI investigation
Peters, J. R., Chester, D. S., Walsh, E. C., DeWall, C. N., & Baer, R. A. (2018) · Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation · doi:10.1186/s40479-018-0079-7 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Investigating the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth following community violence: The role of anger.
Strasshofer, D. R., Peterson, Z. D., Beagley, M. C., & Galovski, T. E. (2017) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000314 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Kicking the robots: the roles of transformational leadership and fear on service robot risk awareness and robot abuse relationship
Shum, C. W. S., Min, H. K., Sun, J., Yu, H. C., & He, Z. (2024) · Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology · doi:10.1108/jhtt-12-2023-0414 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anger Dysregulation with Military Veterans: A Pilot Study
Donahue, J. J., Santanello, A. P., Marsiglio, M. C., & Male, L. M. V. (2017) · Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy · doi:10.1007/s10879-017-9361-z · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Brief Training on Patient Anger Increases Oncology Providers' Self-Efficacy in Communicating With Angry Patients
Gerhart, J. I., Varela, V. S., & Burns, J. W. (2017) · Journal of Pain and Symptom Management · doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.07.039 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Mechanisms Linking Masculine Discrepancy Stress and the Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among Men in the United States
Sileo, K. M., Luttinen, R. L., Muñoz, S., & Hill, T. D. (2022) · American Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.1177/15579883221119355 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
An Exploration of the Mediators Between Childhood Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence
Smyth, E. J., Gardner, F. L., Marks, D. R., & Moore, Z. E. (2017) · Violence and Victims · doi:10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-15-00084 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Anger-reduction treatment reduces negative affect reactivity to daily stressors.
McIntyre, K. M., Mogle, J. A., Scodes, J. M., Pavlicová, M., Shapiro, P. A., Gorenstein, E. E., Tager, F. A., Monk, C. E., Almeida, D. M., & Sloan, R. P. (2018) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/ccp0000359 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Anger Proneness and Prognostic Pessimism in Men With Prostate Cancer
Gerhart, J. I., Schmidt, E. M., Lillis, T. A., O’Mahony, S., Duberstein, P. R., & Hoerger, M. P. (2016) · American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® · doi:10.1177/1049909116636358 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
What Factors Contribute to the Aggressive Foreign Policy of Russian Leaders?
Snegovaya, M. (2019) · Problems of Post-Communism · doi:10.1080/10758216.2018.1554408 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The comorbidity of anger symptoms with personality disorders in psychiatric outpatients
Digiuseppe, R. A., McDermut, W., Unger, F., Fuller, J. R., Zimmerman, M. A., & Chelminski, I. (2011) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.20835 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Exhausted Parents Experience of Anger: The Relationship Between Anger and Burnout
Prikhidko, A., & Swank, J. M. (2020) · The Family Journal · doi:10.1177/1066480720933543 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Clarifying the synergistic effects of emotion dysregulation and inhibitory control on physical aggression
Bounoua, N., Spielberg, J. M., & Sadeh, N. (2022) · Human Brain Mapping · doi:10.1002/hbm.26012 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Does hostile rumination mediate the associations between reported child abuse, parenting characteristics and borderline features in adulthood?
Zielinski, M. J., Borders, A., & Giancola, P. R. (2015) · Personality and Mental Health · doi:10.1002/pmh.1306 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Effects of Online Cognitive Treatment for Problematic Anger: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Howie, A. J., & Malouff, J. M. (2014) · Cognitive Behaviour Therapy · doi:10.1080/16506073.2014.939103 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The Mediating Effect of Nurses’ Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship between Moral Sensitivity and Communication Ability with Angry Patients
Guo, S., Wang, X.-K., Zhang, Z., Zhang, Q.-J., Pan, X., Li, C., & Ke, D.-D. (2024) · Journal of Nursing Management · doi:10.1155/2024/6614034 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The role of anxiety sensitivity in anger symptomatology: Results from a randomized controlled trial
Thompson, J. S., & Schmidt, N. B. (2021) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102462 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Rectifying Misconceptions: A Comprehensive Response to “Some Concerns About the Psychological Implications of Mindfulness: A Critical Analysis”
Gardner, F. L., Moore, Z. E., & Marks, D. R. (2014) · Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1007/s10942-014-0196-1 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Direct and indirect associations between experiential avoidance and reduced delay of gratification
Gerhart, J. I., Heath, N. M., Fitzgerald, C. J., & Hoerger, M. P. (2013) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.02.001 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Animal abuse as an outcome of poor emotion regulation: A preliminary conceptualization
Parfitt, C. H., & Alleyne, E. K. A. (2018) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2018.06.010 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
The inner workings of anger: A network analysis of anger and emotion regulation
Larsson, J., Bjureberg, J., Zhao, X., & Hesser, H. (2023) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.23622 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Exploring the Effects of the Mindfulness and Countering Emotional Behaviors Modules From the Unified Protocol on Dysregulated Anger in the Context of Emotional Disorders
Cassiello-Robbins, C. F., Sauer-Zavala, S. E., Brody, L. R., & Barlow, D. H. (2020) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2019.12.007 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Communication in cancer: its impact on the experience of cancer care: communicating with the angry patient and the patient in denial
Pene, C., & Kissane, D. W. (2019) · Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care · doi:10.1097/spc.0000000000000410 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Characterizing Delusional Spirals through Human-LLM Chat Logs
Moore, J., Mehta, A., Agnew, W., Anthis, J. R., Louie, R., Mai, Y., Yin, P., Cheng, M., Paech, S. J., Klyman, K., et al. (2026) · Proceedings of the 2026 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency · doi:10.1145/3805689.3806443 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Resting electrocortical activity in adults with dysfunctional anger: a pilot study
Jaworska, N., Berrigan, L. I., Ahmed, A. G., Gray, J., Bradford, J., Korovessis, A., Fedoroff, P., & Knott, V. (2012) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2012.01.003 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Aggressive script rehearsal in adult offenders: Relationships with emotion regulation difficulties and aggressive behavior
Hosie, J., Dunne, A. L., Meyer, D., & Daffern, M. (2021) · Aggressive Behavior · doi:10.1002/ab.22000 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
The Effect of Sleep–Wake Routines on the Negative Emotional States and Aggressive Behaviors in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Levante, A., Petrocchi, S., Colombi, C., Keller, R., Narzisi, A., Masi, G., & Lecciso, F. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19094957 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and trait anger as predictors of depression severity
Crișan, Ș., & Nechita, D. (2021) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2702 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Assessment of the Mode of Anger Expression in Alcohol Dependent Male Inpatients
Demirbaş, H., İlhan, İ. Ö., & Dogan, Y. (2011) · Alcohol and Alcoholism · doi:10.1093/alcalc/agr056 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Anger dysregulation and non-suicidal self-injury during adolescence: A test of directionality
Larsson, J., Tilton‐Weaver, L. C., & Zhao, X. (2023) · Development and Psychopathology · doi:10.1017/s0954579423000858 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Holding in Anger” as a Mediator in the Relationship between Attachment Orientations and Borderline Personality Features
Messina, I., Spataro, P., Sorella, S., & Grecucci, A. (2023) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci13060878 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Group Process as a Mechanism of Change in the Group Treatment of Anger and Aggression
Gerhart, J. I., Holman, K., Seymour, B., Dinges, B., & Ronan, G. F. (2015) · International Journal of Group Psychotherapy · doi:10.1521/ijgp.2015.65.2.180 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Relationship of Anger with Alcohol use Treatment Outcome: Follow-up Study
Sharma, M. K., Suman, L. N., Murthy, P., & Marimuthu, P. (2017) · Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine · doi:10.4103/0253-7176.211757 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Save Me from Myself: College Students' Fears of Losing Control and Acting Violently
Hayes, J. A., Crane, A. L., & Locke, B. D. (2010) · Journal of College Student Psychotherapy · doi:10.1080/87568225.2010.486290 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
To Avoid or Not to Avoid: When Emotions Overflow
Liu, E., & Roloff, M. E. (2015) · Communication Research Reports · doi:10.1080/08824096.2015.1089849 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Alcohol Use Severity, Anger and Drinking Motives among Firefighters
Miloslavich, K., Leonard, S. J., Wardle, M. C., & Vujanovic, A. A. (2023) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2023.2177113 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Exploring core symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in alcohol use disorder patients: a network analysis approach
Shen, G., Chen, Y.-H., Wu, Y., Huang, J., Fang, J., Jiayi, T., Kang, Y., Wang, W., Liu, Y., Wang, F., et al. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1320248 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Emotional Dysregulation, Anger, and Masculinity in Men Who Have Experienced Lifetime Sexual Violence
DeSantis, A. J., Eshelman, L. R., & Messman, T. L. (2024) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605241301790 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Thought suppression strategies as mediators between traditional masculinity ideology and externalized depressive symptoms in men
Genuchi, M. C., Oliffe, J. L., Rice, S., Kealy, D., Walther, A., Seidler, Z. E., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2025) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-07542-3 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Talking out the rage: an ego‐supportive intervention for work with potentially abusive parents
Holman, W. D. (2010) · Child & Family Social Work · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2206.2010.00734.x · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Psychobiological response to an anger induction task in schizophrenia: The key role of anxiety
Gadea, M., Sebastián, N. H., Picó, A., Espert, R., Salvador, A., & Sanjuán, J. (2018) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.044 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
The forensic implications of camouflaging: a study into victimisation and offending associated with autism and pathological demand avoidance
Trundle, G., Jones, K. A., Ropar, D., & Egan, V. (2022) · Advances in Autism · doi:10.1108/aia-02-2022-0006 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Modeling the structural relationships between trauma exposure with substance use tendency, depression symptoms, and suicidal thoughts in individuals with earthquake trauma experience: the mediatory role of peritraumatic dissociation and experiential avoidance
Ahmadi, F., Goodarzi, M. A., Taghavi, M. R., & Imani, M. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05595-5 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Assessing Effectiveness of Aggression Replacement Training at a Technical College in Thailand
Wongtongkam, N., Day, A., Ward, P., & Winefield, A. H. (2014) · Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal · doi:10.2224/sbp.2014.42.6.1047 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Geopersonality of Preventable Death in the United States: Anger-Prone States and Opioid Deaths
Gerhart, J. I., Duberstein, P. R., Paull, D., O’Mahony, S., Burns, J. W., DeNicolo, M., & Hoerger, M. P. (2020) · American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® · doi:10.1177/1049909120902808 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
The Role of Experiential Avoidance in Trauma, Substance Abuse, and Other Experiences
Pepper, S. E. (2012) · doi:10.12794/metadc149651 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters, Exposure to Potentially Morally Injurious Events, and Aggression Among Army Veterans
Potik, D., Einat, T., & Idisis, Y. (2024) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.3056 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Current Status of the Anger Avoidance Model: Recent Empirical Findings and Treatment Considerations
Moore, Z. E. (2016) · Journal of Forensic Psychology · doi:10.4172/2475-319x.1000107 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Parameters of Aggressive Behavior in a Treatment-Seeking Sample of Military Personnel: A Secondary Analysis of Three Randomized Controlled Trials of Evidence-Based PTSD Treatments
Berke, D. S., Carney, J. R., Rusowicz-Orazem, L., Kline, N. K., Grunthal, B., Mintz, J., Yarvis, J. S., Peterson, A. L., Young‐McCaughan, S., Foa, E. B., et al. (2020) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2020.03.007 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Individual differences in expressive suppression and the subjective experience, verbal disclosure, and behavioral expression of anger
Sullivan, S. D., & Kahn, J. H. (2019) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2019.109723 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Contextual Anger Regulation Therapy (CART)
Gardner, F. L., & Moore, Z. E. (2013) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118589878.ch9 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
A Solution-Focused Group Treatment Approach for Individuals Maladaptively Expressing Anger
Brzezowski, K. M. (2011) · Journal of Bioresource Management · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Exploring factors associated with dual harm among young adult men in prison
Thurston, L., Slade, K., Baguley, T. S., & Blagden, N. (2025) · Psychology Crime and Law · doi:10.1080/1068316x.2025.2555590 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Pola Perilaku Bermasalah dan Rancangan Intervensi pada Anak Tunalaras Tipe Gangguan Perilaku (Conduct Disorder) Berdasarkan Fungsctional Behavior Assesment
Mahabbati, A. (2014) · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Choices
Pierce, L. L. B., Pierce, S. W., & Gies, C. E. (2013) · Rehabilitation Nursing · doi:10.1002/rnj.71 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Perceived Father Rejection and Young Adult Aggression: Examining Mediational Components of Emotional Dysregulation
McKenzie, M. D., & Casselman, R. B. (2015) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x15610615 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The Rewarding Nature of Anger Rumination in Borderline Personality Disorder: An fMRI Investigation
Peters, J. R. (2015) · UKnowledge (University of Kentucky) · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Dificultades en la regulación de la ira y la agresividad y su relación con los indicadores de inflexibilidad psicológica en adultos jóvenes colombianos
Villa, Ó. M. G., Basurto, F. Z., & Ortega‐Campos, E. (2025) · Universitas Psychologica · doi:10.11144/javeriana.upsy22.dria · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Online emotion regulation treatment for maladaptive anger inhibition – an open-label pilot with a pooled interrupted time series design
Larsson, J., Ojala, O., Bjureberg, J., Sederström, P., Hvass, O., Björk, P., Lidskog, S., & Hesser, H. (2025) · Cognitive Behaviour Therapy · doi:10.1080/16506073.2025.2542355 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Calming the road rage: the role of nature exposure in reducing driving anger and promoting safer behaviours
Yu, F., Geng, L., & Chen, J. (2025) · Ergonomics · doi:10.1080/00140139.2025.2567465 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
A Chain mediation model linking experiential avoidance, cognitive flexibility, negative emotions, and sleep quality in university students
Jiang, Y., Peng, T., Wang, N., Peng, J., Tan, X., & Liu, Y. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-026-44776-y · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Seventy Times Seven: Forgiveness as a Moderator in the Relationship between Anger and Violent Crime
Spratto, E. M. (2011) · Digital Commons (Liberty University) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Assessing Anger, Aggression, and Violence
Ronan, G. F., Dreer, L. E., Maurelli, K., Ronan, D. W., & Gerhart, J. I. (2013) · ABCT clinical assessment series · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-00245-3_2 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Development of Adolescent Anger Management Module Using Art Therapy
Yusof, S. A. B. M., Ahmad, N. S., & Aman, R. C. (2020) · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v10-i14/7357 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
De-escalate Don't Escalate: Essential Steps to Effectively Recognize and Manage the Patient Who Is Angry and Disruptive
Lacy, B. E., Keefer, L., & Drossman, D. A. (2022) · The American Journal of Gastroenterology · doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002090 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Heavy drinking and psychological intimate partner aggression (IPA): The interactive effects of experiential avoidance and trait anger
Maloney, M., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2024) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100723 · Cited by 1 · see citing works

Authors: Gardner, F. L., & Moore, Z. E.
Affiliations: La Salle University (US)
Manhattan University (US)
ORCID: Gardner, Frank L.
Venue: Behavior Modification
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2008-07-09
Volume: 32
Issue: 6
Pages: 897-912
ISSN: 0145-4455 (ISSN-L)
1552-4167
DOI: 10.1177/0145445508319282
OpenAlex: W1974239922
Cited by: 128
References: 38
Citations by year: 2026: 13 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 4.06
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Behavior Modification (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
Keywords: aggression, violence, cognitive avoidance, emotional dysregulation, information processing biases, anger management
MeSH terms: Aggression, Anger, Avoidance Learning, Behavior Therapy, Defense Mechanisms, Hostility, Humans, Internal-External Control, Models, Psychological, Violence

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Understanding Clinical Anger and Violence: The Anger Avoidance Model

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks