The effect of direct interventions for antisocial cognition on recidivism in antisocial populations: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Objectives

A meta-analysis was performed on seven studies in which a treatment program that directly addressed antisocial cognition in offenders was contrasted with a no-treatment or treatment as usual control group.

Methods

Pre-post administrations of antisocial cognition measures were available for 2 of the 7 studies and revealed medium reductions (Cohen’s d) in pro-criminal attitudes (Criminal Sentiments Scale) and very large reductions in criminal thinking (Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles) in participants receiving direct interventions for antisocial cognition. A meta-analysis of recidivism data gathered from all 7 studies then followed.

Results

Fixed effect and random effects meta-analyses produced pooled effect sizes (odds ratio) of 0.648–0.657. There was no evidence of study heterogeneity or publication bias.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the odds of recidivism were 34–35% lower in participants who went through an antisocial cognition-based treatment group compared to participants assigned to a control group.