Cognitive Mechanisms of Heavy Drinking in a Violent Population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cognitive Mechanisms of Heavy Drinking in a Violent Population
IRAS ID
218352
Contact name
Elly McGrath
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In order to provide effective means of reducing alcohol related harm, there has been much research on what cognitive processes may be associated with regularly exceeding government guidelines for alcohol consumption. Various studies have shown that heavy alcohol use may be associated with specific processes, such as increased impulsivity (Matt Field, Christiansen, Cole, & Goudie, 2007), decreased executive control (Blume, Marlatt, & Schmaling, 2000) and altered attentional patterns (Matt Field & Cox, 2008).
It is well established that there is a link between the abuse of alcohol and violent behaviour. Interestingly, there is also evidence that some of the same cognitive processes that are associated with regularly drinking alcohol are also linked with higher probabilities of committing criminal offences (Higgins et. al, 2013; Hancock et. al 2010). More specifically, there are similar cognitive deficits present in heavy drinkers that have been found in more violent criminal justice populations (Bufkin & Luttrell, 2005). Group differences have also been found in brain regions that are relevant to both chronic alcohol use and aggressive behaviour in alcohol-dependant subjects (Kose et al, 2015). There is therefore the possibility that a stronger impairment in these cognitive functions may be associated with a higher risk of both committing a violent offence and drinking alcohol excessively. If these can be identified, then the potential for treatment development would be promising.
This study aims to measure cognitive processes thought to be associated with heavy drinking patterns and violent crime. This will involve investigating how executive function, impulsivity and attentional bias are related to such behaviours. This will be done with a number of neurocognitive tests and questionnaires. The hypothesis is that heavy drinkers with a concurrent violent offending background will show more pronounced deficits on the neuropsychological tasks that assess executive function, impulsivity and attentional bias.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
17/WA/0011
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion