Bridgework Theater evaluated the effect of performances of the play The Game given during the spring of 2001. A total of 117 seventh grade students comprised a control group and 110 seventh graders comprised the test group. The test group viewed a performance of The Game. Most (but not all) in the test group participated in class room activities following the performance. A Z-test measured whether or not differences between the groups was significant. A Z-score of 1.65 indicates significance at a .05 level (there is a 95% chance that the same results would be obtained from the same test under similar conditions.)
Statement #1: An effective way to control my anger is to ignore whatever is making me angry.
	True		False
Evaluator's intent: Measure students' confidence in denial as an effective way to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score - 2.66    Test group mean score - 2.89    Z-score -- .89 Interpretation: There was no significant difference between responses of students who saw the play compared to students who did not. The desired result was either no significant change or a significant decrease in confidence.
Statement #2: From now on when I feel angry, I am _____ willing to use counting and deep breathing to calm down.
never	almost never	sometimes	almost always	always
Evaluator's intent: Measure students= willingness to use counting and deep breathing to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 2.50    Test group mean score -- 2.93    Z-score - 2.99 Interpretation: Students who saw the play were significantly more willing to use counting and deep breathing as a way to manage anger.
Statement # 3: I know enough good ways to control my anger that I can _______ keep myself from hurting the person I am mad at.
always	almost always	sometimes	almost never	never
Evaluator's intent: Measure students' confidence in their ability to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 2.32   Test group mean score -- 2.37   Z-score -- .36 Interpretation: There was no significant difference between responses of students who saw the play compared to students who did. Scoring distribution did not indicate problems with the phrasing of this question.
Statement # 4: When I feel angry, I __________ to work on the problem that is causing me to be angry.
really don't want	don't want	sort of want	want	really want
Evaluator's intent: Measure students' willingness to use problem solving to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score -- 3.24  Test group mean score -- 3.22  Z-score -- 0.14 Interpretation: There was no significant difference between responses of students who saw the play compared to students who did. Scoring distribution did not indicate problems with the phrasing of this question.
Statement # 5: From now on, I will _______ be on the lookout for events or people that often make me angry.
always	almost always	sometimes	almost never	never
Evaluator's intent: Measure students' willingness to use anticipation of anger stimulants as a way to manage anger. Results: Control group mean score - 2.79  Test group mean score - 2.81  Z-score -- 0.14   Interpretation:There was no significant difference between responses of students who saw the play compared to students who did. Scoring distribution did not indicate problems with the phrasing of this question.
CONCLUSION: The program as presented in spring 2001 caused a significant increase in the willingness of students to use an effective anger management strategy. Bridgework intends to make changes in the program such that the program will also cause an increase in students' confidence in their ability to manage anger..
Participating Schools:
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy 110 S. Orange Ave. Livingston, NJ 07039 Greater Trenton Academy and Tech School 500 Smith Ave. Trenton, NJ 08611 Howard M. Phifer Middle School 8201 Park Ave. Pennsauken, NJ 08109 Great Meadows Middle School 273 Route 46 Great Meadows, NJ 07838 Mary E. Volz Middle School 509 W. Third Ave. Runnemede, NJ 08078
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