Longitudinal Analysis of Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms, Probable TBI, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Veterans.
Galina A Portnoy, Mark R Relyea, Candice Presseau and 4 others
PMID 34985032WHAT IT FOUND
Veterans with persistent postconcussion symptoms were more likely to report intimate partner violence perpetration over the next year.
Head injury alone was not associated with it after controlling for other risk factors, and symptoms were not associated with violence frequency.
Key findings
01Veterans with higher baseline persistent postconcussion symptom scores were less likely to report no intimate partner violence perpetration at follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = .87).
02After controlling for other predictors, probable traumatic brain injury was not associated with the occurrence or frequency of intimate partner violence perpetration.
03Before adjustment, Veterans with probable traumatic brain injury at baseline were more likely to report intimate partner violence perpetration at follow-up (54.0% to 44.2%; odds ratio = 1.49).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
All data were self-report, with no formal professional assessment or gold-standard diagnosis for TBI or PTSD. TBI and PPCS were measured at the same time, so the study could not test whether PPCS explains the link between TBI and IPV. The design shows association over time, not cause. The sample was mostly non-Hispanic White, married, under 45, and from OEF/OIF/OND service eras, limiting generalizability. The analysis did not use weighting to account for non-response. Participants were not specifically seeking treatment for PPCS or TBI, so results may not apply to Veterans in treatment for these symptoms.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that head injury causes intimate partner violence. After adjustment, probable TBI was not associated with IPV perpetration, and the study relied on self-report and measured PPCS at the same time as TBI, so it cannot establish cause.