A new review has been published on the research to date on domestic violence and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The review, published in the journal Brain Sciences, examined existing research articles on TBIs due to domestic violence.
The review reports that TBI and domestic violence are risk factors for each other. Domestic violence can cause TBI, while common effects of TBI such as memory problems or mood irregularities may cause perpetrators of abuse to become frustrated towards and subsequently domestically violent towards the survivor.
The researchers highlight the importance of front-line workers such as police officers and healthcare workers recognising the signs of TBI and being informed on how to appropriately manage any suspicion of TBI following domestic violence. The researchers conclude that educating professionals on TBI secondary to domestic violence is an important step towards increasing the chances of getting appropriate support for victims.
The researchers go on to discussing the necessity of appropriate screening for TBI, emphasising the importance of validating survivors’ experiences, as well as ensuring appropriate resources are provided to survivors upon discharge.
Outcomes are reported to be poor for TBI survivors following domestic violence, in terms of both physical and mental health. Survivors are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression and PTSD, as well as experiencing increased aggression which could place them at risk of becoming perpetrators of domestic abuse themselves. Additional risk factors and the cyclical nature of TBI and domestic violence is discussed in the report.
Future directions of research and further education on this topic for patients, professionals and the general population alike are suggested.
The article is available at www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/1/122.
Reference: Costello, K., & Greenwald, B.D. (2022). Update on Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review. Brain Sciences, 12(1)
