A program to help veterans manage emotions and reduce aggression
Official title: Manage Emotions to Reduce Aggression - MERA: A Brief Aggression Treatment for Veterans with PTSD Symptoms
Funded at James a. Haley VA Medical Center · NIH-10919764 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002135-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919764 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD and experience impulsive aggression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or do not exhibit aggressive behaviors may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
James a. Haley VA Medical Center
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miles, Shannon R. — James a. Haley VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Miles, Shannon R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
-
Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
-
Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.