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| Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2003): |
Impulsivity and verbal deficits associated with domestic violence.
Full Abstract
While neurobiological factors are known to play a role in human aggression, relatively few studies have examined neuropsychological contributions to propensity for violence. We previously demonstrated cognitive deficits among men who committed domestic violence (batterers) compared to non-violent controls. Batterers had deficits in verbal ability, learning and executive problem-solving ability. These findings led us to examine whether executive control problems involving impulsivity contribute to problems with behavioral control among batterers, and to further examine their deficits in verbal functioning. Batterers (n = 41) enrolled in a domestic violence program were compared to 20 non-violent men of similar age, education, and socioeconomic background on neuropsychological tests of executive functioning, including impulsivity. Questionnaires and structured clinical interviews were used to assess emotional distress, aggression and self-reported impulsivity. Batterers showed greater impulsivity compared to non-batterers on several neuropsychological measures. Yet, the severity of these deficits was relatively mild and not evident in all batterers. Consistent with our previous findings, significant verbal deficits were again observed among the batterers. These findings suggest that while impulsivity may be a factor associated with domestic violence, it probably is not the sole determinant of the strong relationship between cognitive functioning and batterer status that we previously observed. Both verbal expressive deficits and behavioral impulsivity appear to be relevant variables in predisposing men to domestic violence.
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Author information
Author/s: Cohen, Ronald A (RA); Brumm, Virdette (V); Zawacki, Tricia M (TM); Paul, Robert (R); Sweet, Lawrence (L); Rosenbaum, Alan (A);
Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island 02960, USA.
Grants: MH44812 (Agency:United States NIMH)
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Journal: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS (J Int Neuropsychol Soc), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Jul; vol 9 (issue 5) : pp 760-70
Dates: Created 2003/08/06; Completed 2003/09/23; Revised 2007/11/14;
PMID: 12901782, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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