AO3

• A strength is its effectiveness in reducing aggressive behavior and improving self-control. Ireland (2004) found that offenders who participated in anger management programs showed a significant reduction in violent incidents compared to those who did not take part. The focus on changing cognitive processes and providing practical coping mechanisms can help offenders manage their emotions and reduce the likelihood of violent outbursts. This shows that anger management can lead to lasting and positive changes in behaviour.
• A limitation is that anger management may not lead to long-term behavioural change. While offenders may show immediate improvements in managing anger during therapy sessions, these gains may not always be sustained after release. Hollin (1999) found that while anger management helped offenders cope in controlled settings, it did not guarantee a reduction in recidivism rates or prevent reoffending after release. This suggests that anger management alone may not address other underlying factors that contribute to criminal behaviour as they rely heavily on artificial roleplay.
• An issue is that anger management programs rely heavily on the offender's motivation to change. If offenders are forced to participate or lack a genuine desire to address their anger, the programme will lack effectiveness. A lack of engagement can result in offenders not fully applying the techniques learned during therapy, leading to limited success. Motivation is crucial for the success of anger management, as offenders must be willing to commit to the process for it to work.