Cognitive functioning and aggressive antisocial behaviors in young violent offenders

PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH

卷:272

Article

Wallinius, Marta^1,2,3  Nordholm, Johannes⁴  Wagnstrom, Fredrik⁵  Billstedt, Eva^2,6 

[1] Lund Univ, Dept Clin Sci Lund, Child & Adolescent Psychiat, Lund, Sweden

[2] Univ Gothenburg, Ctr Eth Law & Mental Hlth, Inst Neurosci & Physiol, Sahlgrenska Acad, Gothenburg, Sweden

[3] Reg Forens Psychiat Clin Vaxjo, Box 1223, SE-35112 Vaxjo, Sweden

[4] Sahlgrens Univ Hosp, Gen Psychiat Clin, Gothenburg, Sweden

[5] Natl Board Forens Med, Dept Forens Psychiat, Gothenburg, Sweden

[6] Univ Gothenburg, Inst Neurosci & Physiol, Gillberg Neuropsychiat Ctr, Gothenburg, Sweden

关键词: Neuropsychology;    Executive function;    Intelligence;    Violence;    Criminals;    Prisons;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.140

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Studies have shown that offenders have impaired cognitive abilities yet it is unclear if cognitive dysfunction per se contributes to aggressive antisocial behaviors. Our aims were to (1) determine associations between cognitive functioning and different forms of aggressive antisocial behaviors, (2) describe prevalence of, and covariates to, uneven intellectual profiles, and (3) investigate associations between cognitive functioning and age at onset of aggressive antisocial behaviors. A cohort (n = 269) of 18-25 years old male violent offenders were assessed for general intellectual functioning with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales third edition, and for executive functions with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Only one measure of cognitive functioning slower reaction times in a response inhibition test was significantly correlated with higher occurrence of aggressive, but not exclusively antisocial, behaviors. Furthermore, offenders with even intellectual profiles showed more aggressive antisocial behaviors than offenders with uneven intellectual profiles. Finally, increased errors in tests of cognitive flexibility and slower reaction times in a response inhibition test were associated with a younger age at onset of general, but not exclusively violent, criminality. Overall, effect sizes were small. The findings emphasize the need of research investigating how cognitive functioning in offenders affects susceptibility to treatment interventions.

【 授权许可】

Free