The purpose of this study was to develop the anger management virtual reality cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT) program for juvenile offenders.
It is well known that the advantages of virtual reality therapy in emotionalmental- physical rehabilitation, independent virtual space, high self-disclosure, effects of neural plasticity, and positive change have been proven by using Immersive Virtual Reality (VR), Head Mounted Display (HMD), and Holographic Virtual Reality (VR). While there is a growing accumulation of independent studies to show the efficacy of various virtual reality therapy CBT programs in the treatment of such problems as cocaine, alcohol, smoking, gambling, ADHD, autism, paranoid, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, burn dressing, obesity, PTSD, acrophobia, flight phobia, arachnophobia, social phobia, social skills training, self-regulation of stress, emotional regulation, pain management, dental surgery, and oncology impatient, there is a dearth of clinical virtual reality trials on the therapeutic effects of anger management in these areas of domestic and international research. Hence, the specific aim of this clinical virtual reality research was focused on the devolvement and validation of anger management virtual reality cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT) program: (1) three anger provoking situations video scenarios between parents and their youths and among friends and peers; 2) rational, constructive, creative, and neutral thoughts (cognitive restructuring), problem solving, coping ability, and social interpersonal skills video scenarios based on the REBT and CBT; 3) muscle relaxation for anger management, abdominal laughter therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), and nature healing scenes video scenarios, including the healing fragrance “Sea Breeze YuZu” and Korean State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2.
Additionally, virtual reality therapy can add value over traditional assessment and approaches for mental health therapy, motor skills rehabilitation, cognitive assessment and clinical skills training. According to what Dr. Albert Skip Rizzo predicted, “clinical studies using virtual reality are producing results that will reshape the future of inpatient, outpatient and home-based medical rehabilItation.” Henceforward the anger management virtual reality cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT) program will be utilized in order to guide and support the future of home, school, military, and prison-based clinical anger therapy and addiction rehabilitation in more an effective, convenient and affordable way. The implications of this study were discussed along with the suggestions for future studies as well.