A methodological examination of intimate partner violence-related traumatic brain injury in a national panel survey.

PURPOSE: Despite challenges in assessing the true prevalence, survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are believed to be at a uniquely high risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study examines the feasibility of using a national internet panel survey to capture the frequency of experiencing IPV-related TBI. METHODS: Data were obtained in 2024 from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics' Rapid Survey System. Adult respondents self-reported experiences with select forms of physical IPV and any IPV-related head or face injuries. Frequency of physical violence, injury to the head or face due to physical violence, IPV-related TBI, TBI symptoms, and healthcare evaluation patterns after TBI were compared by sex of respondent. Estimates with non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals were considered statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Approximately 9.0% (95% CI 7.8,10.2) of women and 2.7% (95% CI 2.1,3.3) of men reported a possible or probable IPV-related TBI in their lifetime. Three-quarters of adults who reported an IPV-related TBI indicated that they were not examined by a healthcare professional after their most severe injury to their head or face. CONCLUSION: A national internet panel survey can sufficiently capture the frequency of IPV-related TBI and important related information, including symptoms and healthcare seeking, to inform prevention and response efforts. These findings suggest that millions of Americans have experienced IPV-related TBI, with women disproportionately affected.