Cognitive distortion in a New Zealand sample of male incarcerated violent offenders: a descriptive model

Abstract

Violent offending has traditionally been neglected by researchers and clinicians, yet in both absolute and relative terms (to other, and total, offences) continues to increase in New Zealand. An understanding of the cognitive processes underlying violent offending is an essential prerequisite to the development of successful treatment programmes for violent offenders. Cognitive distortions are regarded as a important indicators of remorse, rehabilitation potential and likelihood of recidivism. Major theories and models of violent behaviour, the research literature and psychologically based treatment programmes for violent offenders all discuss the importance of the role that cognitive distortions have in the facilitation and maintenance of violent offending. However, despite the recognised and relatively undisputed importance of addressing cognition and cognitive distortion, little is known about the content, structure and processes of these dysfunctional cognitions. This study was designed to explore the nature of violent offenders' cognitions regarding their offending. This has not been previous investigated among this population. The data gathered were subject to Grounded theory analysis to explore the distorted cognition expressed by 28 incarcerated, adult male violent offenders. Both cognitive content and process were analysed. Given the qualitative data-driven nature of this study, no expectations were held regarding what aspects or nuances of cognitions would emerge. The aim of the study was to develop a descriptive model to describe the different distorted cognitions expressed by violent offenders, to describe how cognition influences the facilitation and maintenance of offending behaviour and to provide some insight into how cognitive distortion may impact across the offence chain. The resultant model Cognitive Distortion in Violent Offenders revealed that one of the most common and significant issues for violent offenders was to minimise negative affect and critical self-evaluation associated with their offending and that the distorted cognitive content and processes served to achieve this in several core ways. Components of the model are discussed with reference to the existing theoretical literature and previous research. The clinical utility of the model and the implications of the findings for theory and research are discussed.