Self‐control in distressed couples: a pilot study

A protocol for the short treatment of fighting couples is described. The treatment consists of three training sessions in which homework assignments are given, aimed at enhancing self‐control. The participants received exact instructions on how to monitor their anger, to take time out and to write to the partner in a structured manner, instead of expressing their anger in the usual way. A pre‐/post‐pilot study with nineteen couples shows that the couples improve significantly more during the training than in the pre‐treatment baseline period. During the follow‐up phase, the improvements are maintained.