The Relation Between Trait Anger and Impulse Control in Forensic Psychiatric Patients: An EEG Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Forensic Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Inhibitory control is crucial for managing trait anger and aggression.
• Limited research explores electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during response inhibition in individuals with high trait anger.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between trait anger and anger-primed inhibitory control in forensic psychiatric patients.
• Utilize behavioral and electrophysiological measures to assess response inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-eight forensic psychiatric patients with medium to high recidivism risk participated.
• An affective Go/NoGo task was administered while electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded.

Main Results:

• Higher trait anger correlated with lower accuracy on NoGo trials, particularly when anger was primed (behavioral data).
• A significant inverse relationship was found between trait anger and error-related negativity amplitudes (electrophysiological data).
• Trait anger was not significantly related to N2/P3 event-related potentials.

Conclusions:

• Trait anger is inversely related to impulse control in forensic populations, especially in hostile contexts.
• Elevated trait anger may be associated with impaired automatic error processing, potentially contributing to persistent impulsive behaviors despite negative outcomes.