Executive dysfunction and domestic violence.
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.


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


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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of executive dysfunction has implications for the design of successful intervention programmes with this sub-group of batterers.
Marsh
N V
NV
School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia. nigel.marsh@une.edu.au
Martinovich
W M
WM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*