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Depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress in women with and without brain injuries due to intimate partner violence: Psychometric evaluation of measurement approaches and group comparisons.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the psychometric properties of common mental health questionnaires among women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with and without brain injuries due to IPV and evaluated whether women with and without IPV-related brain injuries differed in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: (fifth edition) (PCL-5). Model fit and internal consistency were estimated for each scale. Groups were compared on mental health symptom severity, with and without controlling for age, education, and IPV severity. RESULTS: Both one-factor and multifactor models showed excellent fit for all scales. PHQ-8 (ω = .91), GAD-7 (ω = .94), and PCL-5 total scores (ω = .95) had strong reliability, and all subscale scores had acceptable-to-strong reliability (ω range = .79-.94). Women with IPV-related brain injuries reported greater physical IPV severity, higher rates of depression, and higher somatic anxiety and PTSD symptom severity. No group differences in mental health symptoms were significant after controlling for IPV severity. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The PHQ-8, GAD-7, and PCL-5 showed evidence for reliability and validity among women survivors of IPV. Women with IPV-related brain injuries had higher PTSD symptom severity, attributable to greater physical violence exposure in general. Brain injury screening among survivors appears warranted for women with extensive physical IPV experiences. Interventions addressing PTSD, violence prevention, and brain injury recovery may best serve this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Rehabilitation Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/rep0000570

Authors: Justin E. Karr, Agnes E. White, T. K. Logan

Institution: University of Kentucky

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences