A new study reveals that women who suffer domestic violence face an increased risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and persistent mental health problems long after the abuse ends.
Globally, nearly one in three women experience domestic violence, with lasting effects including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological conditions that can endure for decades.
Conducted by the University of Glasgow and published in BMJ Mental Health, the study examined 632 participants aged 40 to 59. Fourteen percent reported a history of domestic physical abuse.
Those with intimate partner violence involving physical abuse (IPV-PA) were significantly more likely to have suffered traumatic brain injuries and were diagnosed more often with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and PTSD than those without such a history.
Notably, these mental health risks persisted even 27 years after the abuse.
The study highlights that most women exposed to IPV-PA reported repeated head trauma and mild TBI, linking brain injury to long-term adverse mental health outcomes. The researchers emphasize the urgent need for further study and increased awareness among healthcare providers and policymakers about the enduring health impacts of domestic violence.
Funded by organizations including the Drake Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and Alzheimer’s associations, the research calls domestic violence a critical public health issue with profound, lasting effects on brain health.
Professor Willie Stewart, lead author, stressed the importance of recognizing domestic violence’s long-term brain health consequences. Co-author Dr. Graciela Muniz-Terrera added that incorporating questions about domestic violence in population studies is vital to deepen understanding of its effects.
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