Effectiveness of anger‐focused emotional management training in reducing aggression among nurses

AIM: The aim of this study was to conduct a 5‐h training programme on anger‐focused emotional management for nurses and verify its effectiveness. DESIGN: The study used a one‐group pretest–posttest design. METHODS: Participants (N = 283) attended a programme comprising lectures and exercises. The Japanese version of the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire was administered pre‐, post‐ and 3‐month posttraining. Regression analyses were used to assess the effects of the programme by gender. RESULTS: For the total aggression score, the difference between the pre‐ and posttraining scores was −2.827 points and remained at −1.602 points 3‐month posttraining. Physical aggression scores decreased posttraining, but the scores increased after 3 months. There were statistically significant gender differences in hostility scores; pre‐training scores were slightly higher for men than for women and lower for men after 3 months. Total and physical aggression scores were higher for men than for women. The training programme decreased aggression, and the effect persisted after 3 months.