The relationship of anger and cognitive distortions with violence in violent offenders’ population: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

In the present meta-analysis, the magnitude of the relationship between cognitive distortions and anger and violent behaviour of incarcerated offenders, based on selected data for the relationship between anger and violence, and cognitive distortions and violence was empirically assessed. Out of nineteen studies included for analysis nine of them contain statistical indicators regarding the relationship between anger and violence, and fourteen studies regarding cognitive distortions and violence. The results indicated a strong relationship both between anger and violence, and between cognitive distortions and violent behaviour. Furthermore, the moderating effect of the type of instruments (self-reported vs. observational behavioural measurements) used for violence assessment was tested. The results indicated that the type of instruments had no significant influence on the cognition-violence relationship, QB(1) = 0.12, p > .05, while in case of the anger-violence relationship, a significant moderating effect was identified, QB(1) = 14.26, p < .01, which supports a higher effect size when violence was measured by a self-reported than when was measured by behavioural observation.

Keywords

• anger
• cognitive distortions
• violence
• incarcerated offenders
• meta-analysis
• moderation analysis