Executive Function and Typologies of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between executive function and typologies of intimate partner violence. Data were collected from 90 men convicted of a domestic violence offense and court-mandated to complete a Batterers Education Program. Typologies of intimate partner violence -- impulsive and psychopathic/premeditated violent offenders -- were assessed via self-report questionnaires and executive function domains -- problem solving, decision-making, reaction time, attention/response control, and cognitive flexibility—were assessed with neuropsychological tests. First, cognitive flexibility was significantly associated with (a) social potency found in premeditated offenders and (b) with risk-taking found in impulsive offenders. Second, attention and response control were significantly negatively associated with (a) impulsivity among impulsive offenders and (b) egocentricity in premeditated offenders. These findings suggest the possible utility of targeting specific deficits in executive function in treatment programs for violent offenders. Additionally, we may want to treat impulsive offenders and premeditated offenders differently given their different deficits in executive function.