Cognitive inhibitory control and self-reported impulsivity among violent offenders with schizophrenia

Abstract

There is evidence for reduced cognitive inhibitory control in schizophrenia, but associated behavioral consequences are unclear. In an investigation of the link between cognitive inhibition and impulsive behavior, violent offenders with schizophrenia (n = 18) and healthy adults completed spatial Stroop and negative priming tasks and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (a self-report impulsivity measure). Negative priming (but not Stroop) was impaired among violent offenders with schizophrenia, but there was no association between reduced inhibition and impulsivity. While these findings should be interpreted with caution, cognitive inhibition in schizophrenia may be unrelated to impulsive behaviors that are commonly linked to violent offending.