A Scoping Review of Neurobiological and Brain Structural Alterations Following Child Exposure to Intimate Partner...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one global issue that can lead to neurobiological consequences and affect brain development across the lifetime. However, evidence is scattered across domains and age groups, making it difficult to map the breadth of empirical findings regarding exposure to IPV. This scoping review aimed to map existing evidence in relation to the neuorbiological mechanisms and brain structural outcomes in child exposed to IPV, extending the focus to the potential stability of such consequences in adulthood. Searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed quantitative research reporting measures of neurobiological mechanisms (stress physiology, inflammatory or cellular markers, autonomic or neurochemical profiles, genetic or epigenetic indicators), and brain development (structural or functional neuroimaging outcomes) related to child exposed to IPV and retrospectively in adults. After screening 2,514 records, 62 studies met the inclusion criteria and were organized by sample characteristics and outcome domains. Findings have shown that the largest body of evidence concerns stress-related biological mechanisms, with reports of significant alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, inflammatory processes, and related physiological systems. Neuroimaging studies also demonstrated substantial convergence, with most reporting trauma-related alterations in frontolimbic circuitry, white matter integrity, developmental brain, and functional connectivity. In conclusion, this scoping review reveals the overall neurobiological and brain structural consequences associated with child exposure to IPV and points out the need for further preventive interventions and treatment strategies.