Executive functioning in antisocial behavior: A multi-level systematic meta-analysis

• Published in: Clinical psychology review 2024-04, Vol.109, p.102408-102408, Article 102408
• Main Authors: Jansen, Jochem Milan, Franse, Melanie Elisabeth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antisocial behavior; Antisocial Personality Disorder - diagnosis; Executive Function; Executive functioning; Humans; Inhibition; Neuropsychology; Prospective Studies; Recidivism; Risk Assessment; Shifting; Working Memory
• ISSN: 0272-7358; 1873-7811
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102408

Neurobiological information – including executive functioning – is increasingly relevant for forensic clinical practice, as well as for the criminal justice system. Previous meta-analyses report that antisocial populations show impaired performance on executive functioning tasks, but these meta-analyses are outdated, have limitations in their methodological approach, and are therefore in need of an update. The current multi-level meta-analysis including 133 studies (2008-2023) confirms impaired performance in executive functioning (d=.42), but studies are heterogeneous. Several moderator analyses showed that neuropsychological test used, type of executive function component, and control group characteristics moderated the overall effect. Specifically, matching psychiatric problems in the non-antisocial control group eliminated any differences in executive functioning between groups. No moderation effects were found for assessment quality, hot or cold executive functions, and various population characteristics. These results could indicate that the assessment of executive functioning in antisocial populations may be less relevant for recidivism risk assessment than thought, although this should first be assessed in prospective longitudinal studies. Executive functioning could potentially be used to identify or screen for individuals with certain treatment needs or be used as a responsivity factor, especially in disorders which are often underdiagnosed in criminal justice settings. •Antisocial groups are impaired on executive function tasks, but not when a matched clinical control group is used.•Extent of impairment varies over specific tasks used•Extent of impairment is unrelated to type of EF, assessment quality, and various characteristics of the antisocial group.•Age significantly moderated the effect size for shifting.