A program to help veterans manage emotions and reduce aggression

Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression - MERA: A Brief Aggression Treatment for Veterans with PTSD Symptoms

NIH-funded research James a. Haley VA Medical Center · NIH-10919764

This study is testing a new program called Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA) to help veterans with PTSD learn how to better manage their feelings and reduce aggressive behavior, making it easier for them to find peace and seek additional support for their condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJames a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project IDNIH-10919764 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new treatment called Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression (MERA) aimed at helping veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manage their emotions and decrease aggressive behaviors. The approach focuses on teaching veterans skills for emotional awareness, acceptance, and behavioral control, which are crucial for reducing impulsive aggression. By participating in this program, veterans will engage in a randomized clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of MERA in improving their emotional regulation and encouraging them to seek further PTSD treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD and experience impulsive aggression.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have PTSD or do not exhibit aggressive behaviors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce aggressive behaviors in veterans with PTSD, leading to improved relationships and overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using emotion regulation strategies to improve outcomes for individuals with PTSD, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Tampa, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.