Executive dysfunction in partner abusive men
Martinovich, W. Maree
Executive dysfunction in partner abusive men Martinovich, W. Maree - 2000 - 160 p.
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Sciences at the University of Waikato. Available for loan from the University of Waikato library.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and nature of variables associated with neurological damage in a population of male spouse abusers with criminal convictions for violence. It also tried to determine whether histories and symptoms indicative of brain dysfunction assist in explaining their behaviour. A sample of 39 partner-abusive men attending the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project were assessed. Subjects completed measures of neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning. Their history of neurologically relevant events was also documented. A high prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), child abuse and substance related difficulties were found. Based on presence or absence of TBI, the subjects were divided into two groups. Statistically significant differences were obtained on level of current full scale IQ, indicating a deterioration in level of general intellectual ability and on some measures of executive functioning. The implications of the high incidence of impairment in executive functions for treatment programmes is outlined. Discussion also focuses on the possibility of executive deficits contributing to increasing likelihood of violent behaviour, methodological concerns, and directions for future research. Although the study findings cannot confirm the nature of the relationship between TBI and violent behaviour, the findings do support brain dysfunction being a risk factor for batterers with criminally violent histories.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
nz
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
INTERVENTION
MENTAL HEALTH
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
THESES
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
PREVENTION
Executive dysfunction in partner abusive men Martinovich, W. Maree - 2000 - 160 p.
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Sciences at the University of Waikato. Available for loan from the University of Waikato library.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and nature of variables associated with neurological damage in a population of male spouse abusers with criminal convictions for violence. It also tried to determine whether histories and symptoms indicative of brain dysfunction assist in explaining their behaviour. A sample of 39 partner-abusive men attending the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project were assessed. Subjects completed measures of neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning. Their history of neurologically relevant events was also documented. A high prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), child abuse and substance related difficulties were found. Based on presence or absence of TBI, the subjects were divided into two groups. Statistically significant differences were obtained on level of current full scale IQ, indicating a deterioration in level of general intellectual ability and on some measures of executive functioning. The implications of the high incidence of impairment in executive functions for treatment programmes is outlined. Discussion also focuses on the possibility of executive deficits contributing to increasing likelihood of violent behaviour, methodological concerns, and directions for future research. Although the study findings cannot confirm the nature of the relationship between TBI and violent behaviour, the findings do support brain dysfunction being a risk factor for batterers with criminally violent histories.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT
nz
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
INTERVENTION
MENTAL HEALTH
STATISTICS
TREATMENT
THESES
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
PREVENTION