Women who experience domestic violence may face an elevated risk of traumatic brain injury and long-term mental health issues, according to a new study from the University of Glasgow published in BMJ Mental Health.
The research highlights the lasting neurological and psychological toll of intimate partner violence (IPV), suggesting that the effects of physical abuse can persist for decades after the abuse has ended. Globally, nearly one in three women has experienced domestic violence, and experts say the impact on brain health has been widely underestimated.
Long-Term Damage from Abuse
The study, titled Intimate Partner Violence, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Long-term Mental Health Outcomes in Midlife: The Drake IPV Study, analyzed data from 632 adults aged 40 to 59. Researchers found that 14% of participants had experienced both IPV and physical abuse (IPV-PA).
Compared with individuals who had not experienced violence, those with a history of IPV-PA were significantly more likely to report traumatic brain injuries (TBI) as well as ongoing or lifetime experiences of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Strikingly, the study found that these mental health effects remained prevalent an average of 27 years after the abuse occurred, indicating long-term implications for survivors’ brain and psychological well-being.
“The majority of those reporting IPV-PA exposure also reported a history of repeated head impacts and mild TBI,” the authors wrote. “In turn, TBI history was associated with evidence of adverse mental health outcomes. These findings provide early insight into the potential lifelong impact of IPV-PA on brain health.”
A Public Health Crisis
The researchers call for urgent attention from policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers, stressing the need for targeted interventions and increased awareness of how IPV affects health outcomes across a survivor’s lifetime.
“Given the global prevalence of IPV—particularly among women—these findings underscore the critical need for more research in this area,” the paper concluded. “There is a pressing need to inform public policy and clinical practice about the lifelong health risks associated with physical abuse in intimate relationships.”
The study received funding from the Drake Foundation, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Medical Research Council, NHS Scotland’s Research Unit, and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Expert Reactions
Professor Willie Stewart, one of the lead authors, emphasized the urgency of treating domestic violence as a public health issue. “Given how common domestic violence is, this study shows it must be recognized not only as a social and legal concern but also as a significant factor in long-term brain health. We need far more attention and research in this historically overlooked field.”
Dr. Graciela Muniz-Terrera, co-author of the study, added: “This research highlights the importance of including domestic violence data in population health studies. Only by doing so can we fully understand its long-term impact.”
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