The relationship of rap group participation, self-management effectiveness, and support unit help to aggressiveness in Vietnam in-country veterans

Sixty-six Vietnam in-country veterans from the Knoxville, Tennessee and Birmigham, Alabama areas were surveyed to determine the relationship of rap group participation, self-management effectiveness, and support unit help to aggressiveness. The subjects were divided into three groups: veterans who were currently attending rap groups at the local Vietnam Era Veterans Outreach Center; veterans who had attended rap groups during the past year; and veterans who had never attended rap groups were in the third test group. Pre rap group and post rap group levels of aggressiveness and self-management were assessed. Instruments included the Interpersonal Behavior Survey, the Tennessee Self-Description Form, and two surveys developed by the researcher to assess level of combat and support unit help upon return from Vietnam. Also sociodemographic data were collected.

Statistical analyses were done through the SPSS computer package. Analyses of covariance, Pearson product-moment correlations, and an Eta correlation were performed. Of the seven types of aggressiveness as measured by the Interpersonal Behavior Survey, Expression of Anger was the only one found to decrease significantly as a result of rap group participation. Also correlational results suggested that as aggressiveness decreased, self-management effectiveness increased. Significant negative correlations were found between aggressiveness and social self-management. Further correlational results suggested that as the level of support for the returning Vietnam in-country veterans decreased, aggressiveness slightly increased. Results also indicated a strong correlation between level of combat and aggressiveness.