Mazandaran Association of Emergency Medicine Humanistic Studies and Social Researches 3092-6467 2 1 2025 12 22 A Comprehensive Review of Theoretical Models and Behavioral Interventions for Anger Management 236910 10.22034/hssr.2025.236910 EN Maryam Amiri Department Of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran Reyhane Tajadod Department Of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran Parisa Daneshi Moghadam Department Of Family Counseling, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar Branch, Yazd, Iran 0009-0007-5708-7943 Journal Article <strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Background:</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Dysregulated anger presents a significant public health concern, linked to interpersonal violence, cardiovascular morbidity, and a range of psychiatric disorders. Effective intervention requires a firm grounding in evolving psychological models and empirical evidence.</span><br><strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Objective:</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> This review aims to synthesize contemporary theoretical models of anger etiology and evaluate the efficacy of first-, second-, and third-wave behavioral therapy interventions.</span><br><strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Methods:</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> A narrative review methodology was employed. Peer-reviewed articles, seminal texts, and meta-analyses published between 1975-2025 were identified via PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar using keywords including "anger management," "cognitive-behavioral therapy," "aggression," and "mindfulness." Theoretical and intervention studies were selected for their influence and methodological rigor.</span><br><strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Results:</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> The state-trait, cognitive-neoassociationistic, and general aggression models provide robust, complementary frameworks for understanding anger. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) remains the most empirically supported intervention, with meta-analyses demonstrating moderate-to-large effect sizes (e.g., g = 0.71). Third-wave acceptance- and mindfulness-based approaches (e.g., ACT, DBT) show growing empirical support for enhancing emotional regulation and addressing experiential avoidance, a core maintenance factor.</span><br><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #0f1115; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> While CBT is the gold standard, integrative treatment tailoring specific techniques (e.g., cognitive restructuring, exposure, mindfulness) to individual functional assessments is advocated. Future research must focus on mechanisms of change, long-term outcomes, and culturally adapted applications to optimize treatment efficacy and accessibility.</span> https://www.hssres.com/article_236910_86cdee856e0a2706d46137b3febed107.pdf