Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury
This research study examines the cognitive, psychological, and neurological outcomes associated with head trauma in women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV).
Who are we?
We are part of a team of researchers at University of Utah, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Pennsylvania State University, and Harvard School of Medicine who are conducting a study to better understand the effect of physical violence and head trauma as a result of IPV on psychological health, thinking abilities, and the brain.
What does this study involve?
The study includes . . .
- Interviews to discuss the experiences you have had with physical abuse and head trauma, as well as current and past mental health history
- Questionnaires to see how you feel about your mental and physical health
- Tests to assess your thinking abilities
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session to examine brain structure and function
Why this study?
Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects approximately 10 million people in the United States (U.S.) each year.
Further, recent reports from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that 33% of women exposed to IPV experience physical violence – placing women at an elevated risk for brain injury.
However, there is limited information about the prevalence of head trauma (HT) in IPV, with a wide range in estimates (40–92%). This project aims to better understand the connection between intimate partner violence and head trauma as well as the results these things have on the brain.
Will I be paid for taking part in the study?
Yes, you will be compensated for your time participating in the study.
We are actively recruiting women from the following areas to take part:
New York City, New York; Newark, New Jersey; and surrounding areas
Salt Lake City, Utah and surrounding areas
Hershey / State College, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas
Inclusion criteria:
- Ages 18–60
- Out of violent relationship for at least 3 months
- Eligible for 90 minute MRI (no metal in body, claustrophobia, etc.)
- Has not been hospitalized for mental health in the past
Contact info:
- womenshealthstudy@hsc.utah.edu
- 801-783-1915
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Resources
For more information about intimate partner violence research, please see the following resources:
- ENIGMA-IPV working group: https://enigma.ini.usc.edu/ongoing/enigma-tbi/enigma-ipv/
- Mount Sinai site: https://www.esopenkolab.com/ipv-study-info.html
- “Shedding Light on Head Trauma Outcomes for Women”: https://reports.mountsinai.org/article/rehab2023-07-birc-esopenko
- Global collaboration to study intimate partner violence: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11682-020-00417-0
