A Multi-Method Approach to a Comprehensive Examination of the Psychiatric and Neurological Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence in Women: A Methodology Protocol

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Katherine M. Iverson¹  Tara E. Galovski¹  Catherine B. Fortier²  Regina E. McGlinchey²  David Salat³  Alyssa Currao⁴  Jennifer R. Fonda⁴  Kimberly B. Werner⁵  Stephanie Kaplan⁵ 

[1] Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States;Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States;Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States;The Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders and the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States;Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States;Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States;

关键词: intimate partner violence;    traumatic brain injury;    women;    post-traumatic stress;    concussion;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyt.2021.569335

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The number of women in the United States that experience blows to the head during assaults by intimate partners is substantial. The number of head blows that result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is virtually unknown, but estimates far exceed numbers of TBI in parallel populations (e.g., blast exposure, accidents, sports) combined. Research on the impact of TBI on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) is sparse. This methodology paper describes the comprehensive, multi-method approach used by a multi-disciplinary team of investigators from several different fields of expertise to assess the interaction of psychiatric, cognitive, psychological, and physical conditions that result from IPV. Using state-of-the-art instruments, a comprehensive assessment of lifetime trauma exposure, lifetime history of TBI, psychiatric history, and a full assessment of current cognitive, neuropsychological and biomedical function was conducted with 51 female survivors of IPV who screened positive for PTSD. This multi-method assessment included clinician-administered diagnostic interviews modified to specifically assess the sequelae of IPV, standardized self-report surveys, neuropsychological tests, structural, diffusion, and functional neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers. The specific details and full report of the results of the full study are beyond the scope of this methodology paper. Descriptive characteristics of the complex clinical presentation observed in this unique sample are described. The sample reported high rates of trauma exposure across the lifespan and 80% met full criteria for current PTSD. Women also reported high rates of lifetime subconcussive head injury (88.2%) and TBI (52.9%) from various etiologies (35.3% secondary to IPV). Descriptive findings from the methodological protocol described here have begun to reveal information that will advance our understanding of the impact of subconcussive head injury and TBI on recovery from mental injury among IPV survivors.

【 授权许可】

Unknown