OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ANGER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES USED WITH CHILDREN AND VYGOTSKY'S THEORY OF SOCIAL INTERACTION

Background: Vygotsky (1978) believed children learn through social interaction; determined by the child’s independent problem solving and through their problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Vygotsky (1978) believed children learn through social interaction; determined by the child’s independent problem solving and through their problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers. The theory promotes learning contexts in which students play an active role in learning. This paper explored anger management strategies used by Occupational Therapists with children with anger management difficulties linking it with Vygotsky’s theory of social interaction.
Method:
A literature overview was conducted on anger management strategies used with children. Strategies used by occupational therapists were explored. Vygotsky’s theory was theoretically linked to the findings.
Results:
Much of the research available on anger management stems from the perspectives of instinct theories, motivational/drive theories, and social learning theories (Williams & Barlow, 2003). Outcome measures reporting success appear to favour a cognitive based approach. However, Occupational Therapy is concerned with occupation emphasising participation and “doing”.
Conclusion:
Approaches used for anger management with children are from a cognitive based approach, and psychological theory. As Occupational Therapists use occupation in intervention, it would be beneficial to research how activity based tasks such as problem solving skills, conflict resolution skills and emotional regulation could be incorporated into anger management programmes. Exploring how participants of anger management programmes can play a more active role in their learning is important when anger management programmes are delivered.
Application to Practice:
Using a cognitive behavioural approach, with an occupation focused approach when addressing anger management issues with children, encompassing Vygotsky’s theory of social interaction has potential.