Executive functioning among first time and recidivist inmates in Uruguay

Neuropsychological assessment of aggressive offenders: a Delphi consensus study

Objective

This study explores the intricate relationship between cognitive functioning and aggression, with a specific focus on individuals prone to reactive or proactive aggression. The purpose of the study was to identify important neuropsychological constructs and suitable tests for comprehending and addressing aggression.

Methods

An international panel of 32 forensic neuropsychology experts participated in this three-round Delphi study consisting of iterative online questionnaires. The experts rated the importance of constructs based on the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework. Subsequently, they suggested tests that can be used to assess these constructs and rated their suitability.

Results

The panel identified the RDoC domains Negative Valence Systems, Social Processes, Cognitive Systems and Positive Valence Systems as most important in understanding aggression. Notably, the results underscore the significance of Positive Valence Systems in proactive aggression and Negative Valence Systems in reactive aggression. The panel suggested a diverse array of 223 different tests, although they noted that not every RDoC construct can be effectively measured through a neuropsychological test. The added value of a multimodal assessment strategy is discussed.

Conclusions

This research advances our understanding of the RDoC constructs related to aggression and provides valuable insights for assessment strategies. Rather than suggesting a fixed set of tests, our study takes a flexible approach by presenting a top-3 list for each construct. This approach allows for tailored assessment to meet specific clinical or research needs. An important limitation is the predominantly Dutch composition of the expert panel, despite extensive efforts to diversify.

Executive function in individuals who are compliant and non-compliant with the conditions of a community-based sentence

Executive function encompasses multiple processes (e.g. regulating emotions, managing behaviours, problem-solving) essential in daily living. A growing body of neuropsychological research shows a relationship between executive dysfunction and criminal behaviour. However, is executive functioning relevant to sentence management? We examined relationships between self-reported executive functioning and community supervision sentence compliance. Sixty-four individuals serving community-based supervision sentences completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version, and their compliance data for six months were collected from probation officer notes. The sample's mean scores were significantly higher (i.e. poorer executive functioning) than those for the normative sample. Those who complied with sentence conditions had higher mean scores than those who were non-compliant. Subsequent exploratory analyses showed that those with poorer executive functioning received more probation officer support to comply with sentence conditions. Attention to responsivity issues like executive function problems may help avoid entrapping people in the criminal justice system.