Overview

• The BMJ Mental Health paper analyzed data from 632 women aged 40 to 59, of whom 14% reported a history of physical domestic violence.
• Women exposed to intimate partner violence experienced higher rates of traumatic brain injuries alongside elevated diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
• On average, mental health conditions persisted 27 years after abuse had ended, underscoring the study’s focus on mid-life outcomes.
• A history of brain injury among survivors was linked to ongoing PTSD symptoms and concurrent mental health disorders.
• Funded by organizations including the Drake Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, the study highlights the need to include domestic violence histories in population research.