Epigenetics of violence against women: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Violence against women is a pervasive global issue with profound impacts on victims’ well-being, extending across cultural boundaries. Besides immediate physical harm, it triggers mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Indeed, it is the trauma experienced during a violent event that can lead to epigenetic modifications, ultimately contributing to the onset of PTSD. While research on trauma’s epigenetic effects initially focused on war veterans and disaster survivors, there’s a dearth of studies on violence against women. In this article, we performed a systematic review aimed to fill this gap, examining existing studies on violence’s epigenetic impact on adult women. The review assessed sample sizes, study validity and gene-specific investigations. Currently, there’s insufficient data for a comprehensive meta-analysis, highlighting a nascent stage in understanding this complex issue. Future research is crucial for deeper insights into epigenetic mechanisms related to violence against women, contributing to improved interventions and support health care systems for affected individuals.