Women exposed to physical abuse in domestic violence can face serious mental health issues that persist for decades after the abuse has ended, new research has revealed.
Around 30 per cent of women globally will experience intimate partner violence—commonly referred to as domestic violence—at some point in their lives.
This can include physical abuse that may lead to traumatic brain injury, which is damage to the brain caused by an external force.
Despite the high prevalence of domestic violence and associated brain injuries, there has been relatively little research into its potential long-term effects on brain health.
The Drake IPV Study, led by professor Willie Stewart, honorary professor at the University of Glasgow, examined the mental health consequences of domestic violence and traumatic brain injury.
Using data from the multi-centre PREVENT Dementia Study, the researchers analysed 632 participants aged 40 to 59 at the time of recruitment.
Of these, 14 per cent reported a history of domestic violence involving physical abuse.
Compared with participants without such a history, those exposed to violence had higher rates of traumatic brain injury, as well as more lifetime and ongoing diagnoses of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Notably, these mental health issues continued into mid-life even though, on average, the abuse had ended 27 years before assessment.
Among those who had experienced domestic violence, a history of traumatic brain injury was associated with an increased risk of ongoing PTSD symptoms and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Professor Stewart said: “Given its prevalence, these findings highlight domestic violence as a public health issue with potential for long-lasting impacts on brain health.
“Our work also reinforces the need for more research in this previously neglected area.”
Dr Graciela Muniz-Terrera, a co-author of the study, said: “This study highlights the importance of including questions about domestic violence in population research to advance our knowledge about its long-term effects.”
