{"title":"Reducing antisocial behavior through cognitive training: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.avb.2024.102006","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cognitive deficits are a key risk factor for severe and persistent antisocial behavior (ASB); however, whether improving cognitive functioning reduces ASB remains unclear. To address this question, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive training interventions among individuals displaying ASB.</div><div>We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for studies published between 1990 and 2023. Of 529 records screened and 54 full-texts assessed, we identified 14 studies including a total of 601 participants (age <em>M</em> = 39.12, <em>SD</em> = 9.33, 84 % male). Most studies aimed at improving multiple cognitive domains. Cognitive training yielded moderate reductions in ASB (<em>g</em> = 0.59, <em>p</em> < .001 in pre-post studies; <em>g</em> = 0.36, <em>p</em> = .003 in controlled trials). Effect sizes were larger for interventions targeting social cognition. Cognitive improvements were moderate in pre-post studies (<em>g</em> = 0.51, <em>p</em> < .001) but non-significant in controlled trials (<em>g</em> = 0.11, <em>p</em> = .27).</div><div>Cognitive training holds promise as a complementary approach for reducing ASB, but greater theoretical and measurement precision is needed to elucidate the mechanisms driving behavioral change. Future research directions include anchoring interventions on cognitive models of ASB, aligning treatment and assessment targets, and evaluating treatment moderators, scalability, and transfer effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51360,"journal":{"name":"Aggression and Violent Behavior","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Aggression and Violent Behavior","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135917892400096X","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CRIMINOLOGY & PENOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are a key risk factor for severe and persistent antisocial behavior (ASB); however, whether improving cognitive functioning reduces ASB remains unclear. To address this question, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive training interventions among individuals displaying ASB.
We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for studies published between 1990 and 2023. Of 529 records screened and 54 full-texts assessed, we identified 14 studies including a total of 601 participants (age M = 39.12, SD = 9.33, 84 % male). Most studies aimed at improving multiple cognitive domains. Cognitive training yielded moderate reductions in ASB (g = 0.59, p < .001 in pre-post studies; g = 0.36, p = .003 in controlled trials). Effect sizes were larger for interventions targeting social cognition. Cognitive improvements were moderate in pre-post studies (g = 0.51, p < .001) but non-significant in controlled trials (g = 0.11, p = .27).
Cognitive training holds promise as a complementary approach for reducing ASB, but greater theoretical and measurement precision is needed to elucidate the mechanisms driving behavioral change. Future research directions include anchoring interventions on cognitive models of ASB, aligning treatment and assessment targets, and evaluating treatment moderators, scalability, and transfer effects.
期刊介绍:
Aggression and Violent Behavior, A Review Journal is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes substantive and integrative reviews, as well as summary reports of innovative ongoing clinical research programs on a wide range of topics germane to the field of aggression and violent behavior. Papers encompass a large variety of issues, populations, and domains, including homicide (serial, spree, and mass murder: sexual homicide), sexual deviance and assault (rape, serial rape, child molestation, paraphilias), child and youth violence (firesetting, gang violence, juvenile sexual offending), family violence (child physical and sexual abuse, child neglect, incest, spouse and elder abuse), genetic predispositions, and the physiological basis of aggression.