Options to Anger is a powerful multimedia program that opens troubled youths' eyes and hearts to the big picture about their anger. Students learn how they may be stuck in a vicious cycle of reacting, and how each of them has the courage and power to change that. Based on years of research and best-practice models, this extensive training program mixes animated stories and live group sessions led by a trained facilitator to empower youth to make real, long-lasting change in their lives.
It's done through a careful process of first discovering how the Anger Cycle exists in their lives. From there they learn that even though it takes courage, they can try something different. That something is actually a host of wonderful options -- options like learning to identify the rich feelings that are covered over by anger, listening to warning signs that anger is approaching, learning to relax, to take space, to communicate what you feel and what you want through "I statements," and rethinking your behavior choices by putting things into perspective.
The Options training is not abstract. It's not a recipe. It's a way -- a simple but very challenging way -- for youth to find and claim their power. The curriculum was developed from years of extensive use in the juvenile justice system. It includes 16 group meetings with additional meetings for extended practice sessions. Each meeting is launched with an animated story segment of a virtual group going through the training. The segment sets up the concepts and skills to be learned by the real youth.
Northwest Media, the producers of Options, performed an evaluation study on the curriculum with a group of Job Corps students and staff. The study showed that youth improved their understandings and control of anger, and students and staff could see positive results even after the first few weeks of meetings. The findings of the study are available at Northwest Media's Web site, at www.northwestmedia.com/research/jj-i.pdf.
To get a first-hand view of how this program can really help youth, we spoke with a participant who took the course, and the trainer who facilitated the class, several months after the study was completed. Their interviews speak for themselves.
--Caesar Pacifici, PhD and Susan Larson, Northwest Media Inc.
Options to Anger Interview with Kurtis
Kurtis, who has been a student at Job Corps for about a year and studies welding:
Q: So, tell me why did you sign up for a course on anger?
A: I figured it would help me to work with other students better, and because I'm a leader.
Q: Did you think you had a problem with anger?
A: Yes. Like, at a certain point I would get very angry and not know how to deal with it.
Q: Has it always been that way for you?
A: Oh yeah.
Q: What would happen when you get angry?
A: Well, like, I'd get home, get angry at my brother and beat the crap out of him.
Q: So, what did you expect from the course?
A: I felt a little hesitant 'cause I didn't know what was gonna happen. But... it was pretty laid back . . . you could speak your mind openly, not worry about it.
Q: What were the most important things you learned about anger from Options?
A: Probably, how to control it without, like, just unleashing on somebody; and how to make it to where I could learn to deal with problems in a non-violent, non-angry way.
Q: Tell me a technique you learned.
A: Um, I learned how to use "I statements."
Q: How did that feel?
A: It was kind of confusing. I didn't see how I could use it in a situation until I actually had to.
Q: Did the group help you think of real-life examples so that you could put it into practice?
A: They kinda gave us examples, or asked us daily if we encountered something like that. But most of us could think of something. So, yeah, we had our fair share of things that happen to us.
Q: How about the stories that the teens on the DVD told, were they believable?
A: I would say yes because that kind of stuff happens here.
Q: Anything else you learned that you put into practice later?
A: The whole thing about "taking space." Like with my brother - he's 16 - I just walk away now when he gets irritating.
Q: And how does he respond?
A: For sure, it irritates him pretty good because he likes to argue.
Q: How did the course help you understand your own anger cycle?
A: I think the course did help me understand it by kinda making me realize what I was doing before I'd actually do it . . . yeah, the invitations.
Q: Were there other situations where you tried using the skills?
A: I work in a shop right now and there are some people down there that I've learned to stay away from.
Q: You mentioned that you are in a leadership role. Has the course helped you with that?
A: Yeah, I took several classes that the Center provides. I've been holding three leadership positions in the last 10 months. I don't get frustrated quite as easily. Some people listen, and some of them choose to go about their angry ways.
Q: What were the things you liked best about the course?
A: It was kinda like you just go to the group; kinda lay out what you're feeling and people would tell you what you can do or should've done to solve the problem and make it a lot easier to deal with. I'd say that, in the end, I just liked what I gained and could accept responsibility. Between us group members, we would talk to each other even after the class, to see if we could help each other out, or whatever. We still talk about things whenever problems arise.
Q: What were the things you like least about it?
A: Um . . . nothing.
Q: Do you think the things you learned in Options will stay with you? Why?
A: Yes, definitely. Because they helped me get to where I am now, and that's a great thing. I like where I'm sitting at. And I can come back to any of these people or instructors and can talk to them whenever I need to, and I know how to deal with problems, so even after I leave this place, it should help me forever. Because of how it helped me, it should help others, too.
Q: Cool!
Options to Anger Interview with Leanne
Leanne, Job Corps trainer and facilitator for the Options to Anger group:
Q: Why is anger management an important subject for Job Corps youth?
A: Our focus is to take students, help them learn to be successful; to become a well-rounded person that has a trade, is able to go out there and be employable and to be a productive citizen. We can teach them a trade and the educational part, but when we miss out on how to live successfully in a community, help them with their relationships, help them in job situations, especially when it comes to anger, we miss out on the most important part: making them a whole person. Some of our students come from very challenging backgrounds. I think we need to help them understand and take out the mystery of anger. "Options" is a wonderful word. So many students come with the preconceived idea that anger is something they have to do; they have to go that way. But they don't. Once they really see the diagram of the Anger Cycle, they can see that they have a choice. They don't have to go that way. And once they understand what their feelings are, it's much easier for them to slow down and look at the big picture.
Q: What were your first impressions of Options?
A: I was very impressed. I was so excited because I saw this as a different program that could be successful especially because of the focus on feelings. But I saw it as a whole program; I didn't see any parts left out.
Q: What were the highlights of teaching this course for you?
A: I got to know the students individually. They were free to speak openly about the problems that were bothering them because we really considered confidentiality as very important. And the curriculum support was there, too. The DVD, for example, was excellent. The characters in the stories were very realistic. It was really great that the kids could see that these characters - even though they were animated - that there really were other people in the world that had the same kinds of things going on in their lives.
Q: What were the difficulties with the program?
A: Well, I have to say, it was not difficult to facilitate at all. The materials were complete and well-explained. But, it would have been great for me to have more time to explore things with the kids. When we got to the last session, the students were like, "We're not done!" They wanted the group to continue. Right now, we just don't have the staff to do it. It's too bad because some of the students are just begging to have the program continue.
Q: How do you think youth responded to the course? Why?
A: As I said, they were very excited about it. There were a couple of times, for example, where some things came up and we weren't able to meet as a group that day, and they were just, "No, we have to have group!" This was a diverse group, so some were quieter. They shared when they finally felt comfortable, or had something important for them to give. But, I must say, we had 100% positive feedback.
Q: Can you give some examples of how youth were putting the skills they learned to use on Center?
A: Sure. I was over at the girls' dorm and one of the student leaders was having a problem with her roommate. She was frustrated and didn't know what to do. Well, I invited one of the kids who was in the Options training to come by and see if she could help with an "I statement." She was able to rattle off an "I statement" for the dorm leader and be very supportive. So I'm really pleased with the way most of the students here have started remembering and gathering this information, and internalizing it.
Q: What made this program different for you?
A: Well, from the feedback students gave us, they first thought, "Oh well this is just like anger management." But then they learned that the words were different. And that it was basically different because it wasn't about trying to control anger, but seeing that they had options to anger. They didn't have to choose anger. And they didn't have to control it. They didn't even have to go there.
Q: Do you think Options will have a long-lasting effect on the youth? Why?
A: Yes. The ones who decided to put it to use are obviously seeing it in their own lives with being in leadership, with dealing with roommates, with their personal relationships. They come back and say, you know, I dealt with this issue with my boyfriend or girlfriend and this is how I handled it. Maybe not all of them will put it to good use right away, but it's there. I know they will remember it.
Another thing: the group dynamic was really important to these kids. They were like, "We really like our group." They became very close. It really helped them relate to each other. The ones that have left, after a few weeks you can start to see that they began experiencing some problems. So it is vital that they continue the learning process.
Q: What place do you think Options should have in Job Corps?
A: It should rank right up there with education - everyone has to take it. They should get a crash course right at the beginning, kind of an overview. Then midway get really deep into it - when they have to start dealing with living situations, instructors, etc.
Q: Any other comments?
A: I think this was an absolutely awesome program!! I'd love to see it become a curriculum in every Job Corps.
I also think it's important to be prepared to teach it by watching the DVD. You know, get comfortable with it. Really, anyone should be able to pick it up and teach it if they have a mindset of a teacher or counselor. The key is to be 100% real with students, including about yourself, so that they can see that you're real, too.
Options to Anger (Unbleeped)
