# Developing a Mobile Intervention for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Problematic Anger

> **NIH VA IK2** · DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Difficulty controlling anger is the most commonly reported reintegration concern among combat
Veterans, especially those with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Veterans, problematic
anger is associated with numerous negative psychosocial outcomes, including poor functional outcomes (both
social and occupational), family discord, aggression, road rage, and suicide risk. Anger can also impede
successful outcomes from PTSD treatment. Given the high prevalence of anger problems among Veterans
with PTSD and the associated functional impairments, there is a clear need to develop innovative and effective
anger interventions to improve functional outcomes of Veterans. The use of mobile health (mHealth)
technology could provide a low-cost method to increase the reach of anger management treatments to this
high-need group of Veterans.
 One of the mechanisms associated with problematic anger and aggression is hostile interpretation bias,
i.e., a tendency to interpret ambiguous interpersonal situations as hostile. By reducing hostile interpretation
bias, it may be possible to significantly reduce problematic anger and aggression and improve functional
outcomes. The applicant has developed and piloted a computer-based interpretation bias modification
intervention that successfully reduces hostile interpretation bias and anger outcomes. The goal of this project is
to further develop this intervention for Veterans with PTSD, using mHealth technology to increase the
portability of this promising approach to reduce anger and enhance occupational and psychosocial functioning.
 The Research Plan proposes to develop, refine, and pilot-test a mobile application version of the
existing computer-based interpretation bias modification intervention for individuals with PTSD and problematic
anger. The central hypothesis is that patients with PTSD and problematic anger will find this mobile
intervention acceptable and will be willing to use it to reduce their anger difficulties and improve psychosocial
and occupational functioning. The proposed research project will address the following Specific Aims: Aim 1(a):
To develop a mobile interpretation bias modification intervention entitled Mobile Intervention for Reducing
Anger (MIRA) for Veterans with PTSD and problematic anger; Aim 1(b): To use a successive cohort design to
refine the MIRA intervention for Veterans with PTSD and problematic anger; and Aim 2: To: a) evaluate the
feasibility of recruitment, randomization, and retention procedures in a pilot study comparing MIRA to a contact
control condition, focusing on community reintegration and functional outcomes, and b) conduct an
exploratory aim utilizing psychophysiological and electronic diary monitoring to determine whether
this assessment could be utilized as an outcome or mechanistic variable in a subsequent randomized
clinical trial application focused on evaluating the efficacy of the MIRA intervention. The results
generated will guide the d...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10070524
- **Project number:** 5IK2RX002965-03
- **Recipient organization:** DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kirsten Hawkins Dillon
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10070524

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10070524, Developing a Mobile Intervention for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Problematic Anger (5IK2RX002965-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10070524. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*