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. 2012 Dec 1;2(4):401-410.
doi: 10.1007/s13142-012-0162-3. Epub 2012 Aug 30.

IMPACT OF WILLIAMS LIFESKILLS® TRAINING ON ANGER, ANXIETY AND AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN ADOLESCENTS

Vernon A Barnes  1 , Maribeth H Johnson, Redford B Williams, Virginia P Williams
Affiliations

IMPACT OF WILLIAMS LIFESKILLS® TRAINING ON ANGER, ANXIETY AND AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN ADOLESCENTS

Vernon A Barnes et al. Transl Behav Med. .

Abstract

Background: The Williams LifeSkills® (WLS) anger and stress management workshop provides training in strategies to cope with stressful situations and build supportive relationships.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of school-based Williams LifeSkills training on anger, anxiety and blood pressure in adolescents.

Methods: 159 adolescents (mean age±SD=15.7±1.4 years) were randomized to WLS (n=86) or control (CTL, n=73) groups. The WLS group engaged in twelve 50-min WLS training sessions conducted by teachers at school.

Results: Anger-in and anxiety scores decreased and anger control scores increased in the WLS group across the six-month follow-up period compared to the CTL group (group x visit, ps<0.05). Daytime diastolic BP was lower across the follow-up in the WLS group (p=0.08). DBP was significantly lower across the follow-up period in the WLS group among those with higher SBP at baseline (p=0.04).

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate beneficial impact of WLS upon self-reported anger-in, anger-control, anxiety levels and ambulatory DBP in the natural environment in healthy normotensive youth.

Keywords: Adolescents; Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring; Anger; Anxiety; Blood Pressure; Coping Skills; Diastolic Blood Pressure; Systolic Blood Pressure.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Flow of study recruitment
Fig 2
Fig 2
Anger-in scores visits 2–4, adjusted for visit 1
Fig 3
Fig 3
Anger control scores visits 2–4, adjusted for visit 1
Fig 4
Fig 4
Anxiety scores visits 2–4, adjusted for visit 1
Fig 5
Fig 5
Daytime diastolic blood pressure (high BP group) visits 2–4, adjusted for visit 1
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