Citation

Marsh NV, Martinovich WM. Brain Inj. 2006; 20(1): 61-66.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699050500110645

PMID

16403701

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.