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

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.

Duke Scholars

Author Redford B. Williams Jr. Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...