Relationship Between Types of Aggression and Executive Functions: A Meta-Analysis Study

Abstract

This meta-analysis systematically reviewed original research examining the relationship between executive function (EF) and different forms (physical and relational) and functions (reactive and proactive) of aggression. The primary aim was to clarify how cognitive control processes, such as inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, relate to distinct patterns of aggressive behavior. A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, and PsycINFO, including studies that assessed EF using validated measures and reported correlation coefficients with aggression variables. After screening according to PRISMA guidelines, 24 studies involving 10,181 participants met the inclusion criteria. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled effect sizes, taking into account variability across studies. The results showed that the strongest average correlation was found between executive function and physical aggression (r = .14, p = .29), though this association did not reach statistical significance. The weakest correlation emerged between EF and reactive aggression (r = –.003, p = .97), suggesting virtually no relationship. Similarly, correlations between EF and proactive aggression (r = .14, p = .09) and relational aggression (r = .007, p = .93) were weak and non-significant. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across all models (I² > 95%), indicating that study differences in design, sample characteristics, and measurement tools may have influenced results. Overall, the findings reveal a complex and inconsistent pattern linking executive functioning and aggression.

Keywords

• Executive function
• aggression
• meta-analysis

Saldırganlık Türleri ile Yürütücü İşlevler Arasındaki İlişki: Meta-Analiz Çalışması

Öz

Bu meta-analiz, yürütücü işlev (Yİ) ile saldırganlığın farklı biçimleri (fiziksel ve ilişkisel) ve işlevleri (reaktif ve proaktif) arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyen özgün araştırmaları sistematik olarak gözden geçirmiştir. Birincil amaç, inhibisyon, çalışma belleği ve bilişsel esneklik gibi bilişsel kontrol süreçlerinin farklı saldırganlık örüntüleriyle nasıl ilişkili olduğunu açıklığa kavuşturmaktır. Sistematik literatür taraması Medline, Scopus ve PsycINFO veri tabanlarında yürütülmüş, yürütücü işlevleri geçerli ölçümlerle değerlendiren ve saldırganlık değişkenleriyle korelasyon katsayılarını rapor eden çalışmalar dahil edilmiştir. PRISMA yönergelerine göre yapılan tarama sonrasında, 10.181 katılımcıyı içeren toplam 24 çalışma dâhil edilme kriterlerini karşılamıştır. Çalışmalar arasındaki farklılıkları dikkate almak için rassal etkiler modeli kullanılarak birleştirilmiş etki büyüklükleri hesaplanmıştır. Sonuçlar, yürütücü işlev ile fiziksel saldırganlık arasındaki ortalama korelasyonun en yüksek olduğunu göstermiştir (r = .14, p = .29); ancak bu ilişki istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmamıştır. En zayıf korelasyon ise yürütücü işlev ile reaktif saldırganlık arasında ortaya çıkmıştır (r = –.003, p = .97), bu da neredeyse hiçbir ilişki olmadığını göstermektedir. Benzer şekilde, yürütücü işlev ile proaktif saldırganlık (r = .14, p = .09) ve ilişkisel saldırganlık (r = .007, p = .93) arasındaki korelasyonlar da zayıf ve anlamlı değildir. Tüm modellerde önemli düzeyde heterojenlik gözlenmiştir (I² > 95%), bu da araştırma tasarımlarındaki, örneklem özelliklerindeki ve ölçüm araçlarındaki farklılıkların sonuçları etkilemiş olabileceğini göstermektedir. Genel olarak, bulgular yürütücü işlevler ile saldırganlık arasındaki ilişkinin karmaşık ve tutarsız bir örüntü sergilediğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yürütücü işlev
• Saldırganlık
• Meta-analiz

Kaynakça

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