Executive dysfunction and domestic violence

Abstract

Primary objective: To replicate previous studies which have reported a high prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in partner-abusive men and to extend research in this area by determining the prevalence of executive dysfunctions, which have been linked with both TBI and violent behaviour.

Research design: Thirty-eight men with criminal convictions for violence and who were receiving treatment for abusing their partners were assessed.

Methods and procedures: Subjects with a self-reported history of TBI (n = 22) were compared to the non-TBI group (n = 16) on various psychological measures.

Main outcomes and results: The two groups were not significantly different on the variables of age, pre-morbid IQ, self-esteem and alcohol use. The TBI group scored more poorly than the non-TBI group on a measure of current IQ and two of the three measures of executive functioning.

Conclusion: The presence of executive dysfunction has implications for the design of successful intervention programmes with this sub-group of batterers.

• Traumatic brain injury
• domestic violence
• executive dysfunction