Women survivors of intimate partner violence: A scoping review of the relationship between traumatic brain injury and non-fatal strangulation, brain alterations and neuropsychological functioning

Abstract

Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is an important social and health problem worldwide. It has severe consequences on women who suffer it, however there are gaps in knowledge regarding consequences of physical violence. Specifically in the context of IPVAW, there is a need of research on associations among physical violence, brain and neuropsychological alterations. This scoping review reports findings regarding the association among physical damages caused by IPVAW, brain alterations and neuropsychological functioning. Studies were identified by searching in five electronic databases. Ten studies were included after applying selection criteria. The scoping review revealed that women survivors of IPVAW who experienced episodes of nonfatal strangulation and traumatic brain injury showed alterations in brain cortical volume, functional connectivity and neuropsychological functioning. Results of this scoping review contribute to our understanding of the relationship between the major types of physical violence suffered by women survivors of IPVAW, and the relationship of these forms of physical violence with other kinds of brain and neuropsychological alterations. It is imperative to inform women survivors of IPVAW of the need to go to emergency services after such violent episodes, due to the possibility of having suffered traumatic brain injury and other brain damage, as well as the need for early rehabilitation. Future research should focus on assessing these forms of impairment more thoroughly, taking into account other possible factors that can lead to structural and functional brain damage and alter neuropsychological functionality in women survivors of IPVAW.