Examining Associations Between Intimate Partner Violence-Related Brain Injury, Psychological Abuse, and Cognitive...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue with known adverse physical and psychological effects.
• The long-term impact of IPV on women's cognitive functioning remains under-researched.
• Understanding these long-term cognitive consequences is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term cognitive functioning of women who experienced physical and psychological IPV.
• To examine the relationship between IPV-related mild brain injuries (BIs) and cognitive performance.
• To assess the association between psychological abuse severity and cognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 97 community-dwelling women with a history of IPV were assessed.
• Neuropsychological testing included Reaction Time, Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Processing Speed, and Executive Function.
• IPV history, including mild BIs and psychological abuse severity, was evaluated using validated instruments.

Main Results:

• Women scored lower than expected on Reaction Time, Verbal Memory, and Executive Function.
• 61% of participants reported at least one IPV-related mild BI.
• Increased BIs correlated with lower Visual Memory; higher psychological abuse severity was linked to faster Reaction Time and, at high levels, poorer Verbal Memory.

Conclusions:

• Women with a history of IPV may experience persistent cognitive deficits years after the abuse.
• IPV-related mild BIs have a limited association with specific cognitive domains.
• Psychological abuse severity demonstrated complex relationships with cognitive performance, warranting further investigation.