Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Public Health Issue

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains at epidemic proportions in the United States. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as an outcome of IPV is now being investigated by researchers, particularly long-term sequelae. This review addresses underreporting and lack of treatment, and the physical and psychological impact for victims of IPV who have received a TBI. Recent research has begun to investigate professional sports players who experience repeated concussions and their at-risk status for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Women who are in abusive relationships for long periods of time may also incur repeated blows to the head. Researching the at-risk status for CTE is a much needed line of inquiry for this underserved population. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains at epidemic proportion in the United States with over 1 in 3 women experiencing, "…sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization by an intimate partner during her lifetime" 1. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) as well as other research indicates that one in four women in the United States experienced severe violence during her lifetime 1-4. Significant interest in the occurrence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among women who have experienced IPV has emerged during the past decade. TBI research, particularly, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), has been studied in male, professional sports players but has been largely overlooked in the female population. Considering the prevalence of IPV as a public health issue, coupled with the long-term negative sequelae of TBI, further investigation is warranted. Women may spend decades in an abusive relationship where head injury frequently occurs but is not typically diagnosed or treated. This review identifies gaps in identification and underreporting of TBI when IPV occurs. Short and long-term sequelae post-TBI, CTE, and future research regarding victims of IPV and subsequent TBI are also presented. IPV is defined as "…consistent and coercive verbal, emotional, and physical violence directed toward a current or former intimate partner." 1 NISVS defines physical violence as kicking, choking, stabbing, being burned, or being shot 1. IPV creates long-term health and disability issues for its victims 1-4. The financial burden of IPV to society is staggering with health care costs, particularly for the first twelve months after the assault, ranging between 2.3 billion and 7.0 billion dollars 1,5. Workplace productivity and absenteeism may also be affected by current and/or past IPV 6. TBI is defined as "a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain" as a result from an external force to the head 7. Each year, the CDC uses population-based data that includes