The Role of Traumatic Brain Injury on Intimate Partner Violence and Changes in Mental Health From Late Adolescence to...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common correlates of mental health problems in adolescence. However, research has yet to investigate whether IPV victimization is related to developmental changes in mental health, as well as the contributing role that TBI may play in conditioning this association. We address this gap by analyzing longitudinal data with well-validated measures of mental health from an ethnically diverse sample of adolescents.

Prospective data from the Dating it Safe sample (n = 699) were used to measure IPV victimization, depression, post-traumatic stress, binge drinking, and TBI from 2015 to 2021. We used latent growth curve models to evaluate both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between victimization, starting levels, and rates of change. Interaction terms were used to assess whether TBI conditions pathways between victimization, starting levels, and changes.

IPV victimization was associated with higher levels of depression, post-traumatic stress, and binge drinking in late adolescence. All associations were stronger for participants with a history of TBI due specifically to being hit by another person or shaken violently. Participants who experienced IPV with a history of TBI due to physical violence demonstrated more rapid increases in post-traumatic stress from late adolescence to young adulthood (β = 0.21; 95% confidence interval = 0.10-0.33; p = .008).

Findings highlight the synergistic relationship between IPV victimization and TBI for mental health sequelae. Research and practice should seek to develop effective assessments and interventions for people who experience IPV and have a history of TBI.