Brain Injury and Mental Health Among the Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Case-Series Exploratory Study

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors frequently report face, head, and neck as their injury site. Many mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are undiagnosed or underreported among IPV survivors while these injuries may be linked to changes in brain function or pathology. TBI sustained due to IPV often occurs over time and ranges in severity. The aim of this case-series study was to explore risk factors, symptoms, and brain changes unique to survivors of intimate partner violence with suspicion of TBI. This case-series exploratory study examines the potential relationships among IPV, mental health issues, and TBI. Participants of this study included six women: 3 women with a history of IPV without any experience of concussive blunt force to the head, and 3 women with a history of IPV with concussive head trauma. Participants completed 7T MRI of the brain, self-report psychological questionnaires regarding their mental health, relationships, and IPV, and the Structured Clinical Interview. MRI scans were analyzed for cerebral hemorrhage, white matter disturbance, and cortical thinning. Results indicated significant differences in resting-state connectivity among survivors of partner violence as well as differences in relationship dynamics and mental health symptoms. White matter hyperintensities are also observed among the survivors. Developing guidelines and recommendations for TBI-risk screening, referrals, and appropriate service provision is crucial for the effective treatment of TBI-associated IPV. Early and accurate characterization of TBI in survivors of IPV may relieve certain neuropsychological consequences.

Systematic review and data synthesis on the treatment of sexual violence victimization by an intimate partner

“…IPV is a problem that happens in dysfunctional relationships and involves physical, sexual, and emotional abuse to varying degrees. Therefore, these relationships can be linked to multiple mental health issues that can simultaneously affect the survivors of IPV via their fear responses, feelings of helplessness and hopefulness, excessive stress, and changes in physiology (Karakurt et al, 2021). To improve psychosocial outcomes for sexual IPV survivors, developing interventions that simultaneously address these co‐occurring mental health issues may be important.…”

Structural brain morphology in young adult women who have been choked/strangled during sex: A whole‐brain surface morphometry study

“…If hypoxemia‐ischemic stress occurred repetitively over time, it may impact one's mental health and cognition. For example, recurring non‐fatal strangulation in other contexts (e.g., intimate partner violence, the adolescent “Choking Game”) has been shown to contribute to the emergence of depression, post‐traumatic stress disorder, and chronic headaches (Bichard et al., 2021 ; Busse et al., 2015 ; Karakurt et al., 2021 ; Linkletter et al., 2010 ). Our recent survey revealed that women who had been choked more than five times in their lifetime were twice as likely to report current symptoms related to depression, anxiety, sadness, and loneliness compared to their choking naïve counterparts (Herbenick, Fu, et al., 2021 ).…”

Systematic Investigation of Meta-Analysis Data on Treatment Effectiveness for Physical, Psychological, and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

“…Acute, chronic, and long-term consequences of IPV are commonly observed ( Karakurt et al, 2017 ; Whiting et al, 2017 ). In addition, traumatic brain injury is frequently observed since physical violence often involves an attack on the face and neck of the victims ( Karakurt et al, 2021 ).…”