Directionality of Executive Function–Antisocial Behavior Associations: A Systematic Exploratory Review

Neuropsychological markers like executive functioning (EF), including inhibitory control, planning, cognitive flexibility, and working memory, are increasingly used in forensic practice, yet the directionality of EF deficits predicting antisocial behavior (ASB) remains unclear. Previous meta-analyses (Morgan & Lilienfeld, 2000; Ogilvie et al., 2011) established robust cross-sectional associations but directionality of this relationship has not yet been systematically reviewed. Purpose: This systematic review synthesizes longitudinal evidence (1993–2026) examining whether baseline EF deficits predict later ASB across clinical (ASPD/CD/ODD), legal (arrests/criminality), and broad behavioral definitions, resolving heterogeneity in measures and populations to inform risk assessment and etiological models. Expected outcomes: Clarification of which EF domains most reliably predict ASB trajectories, strongest effects anticipated for clinical/legal outcomes in forensic populations. Hybrid narrative-quantitative synthesis with Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment to guide neurocognitive risk stratification in clinical/forensic psychology.