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Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a significant public health concern, resulting in substantial physical and psychological harm, particularly among women. IPV refers to abuse occurring within intimate relationships and is linked to a range of neurological injuries, such as trau...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
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Department of Psychology
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613299378487296 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Haniff, Khadija |
| author2 | Schrieff, Leigh |
| author_browse | Haniff, Khadija Schrieff, Leigh |
| author_facet | Schrieff, Leigh Haniff, Khadija |
| author_sort | Haniff, Khadija |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a significant public health concern, resulting in substantial physical and psychological harm, particularly among women. IPV refers to abuse occurring within intimate relationships and is linked to a range of neurological injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), as well as adverse mental health outcomes like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although IPV and its effects have been extensively studied, there remains a gap in research both globally and within South Africa exploring the overlap between IPV, general and IPV-specific TBIs, and PTSD outcomes. Specifically, the literature lacks a thorough understanding of the prevalence of, and mechanisms for IPV-related TBIs, their severity and their link to PTSD. This study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative approach to examine IPV exposure, TBIs (both general and IPV-specific) and PTSD outcomes in a sample of South African women (N = 81) using self-report measures, including a Demographic Questionnaire and Asset Index, Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5, Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, Women Abuse Screening Tool, and Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire. The results demonstrated a high prevalence of IPV within the sample, with physical and emotional abuse being the most frequently co-occurring forms thereof. IPV-related TBIs were also commonly reported. Simple regression analyses indicated that IPV-related TBIs were a significant predictor (p = 0.009) of PTSD outcomes, highlighting the important role of these injuries in psychological distress. However, multiple regression analyses indicated that, collectively, no single variable stood out as the strongest predictor of PTSD outcomes. The findings of this study are largely aligned with existing research regarding the prevalence and effects of IPV. However, there is a clear need for further research to enhance the understanding of the intersection between IPV, TBIs and PTSD. Given the widespread and debilitating nature of IPV, examining its neurological and psychological effects is essential for informing trauma-sensitive interventions, practices, and policies to better support survivors experiencing IPV-related TBIs and associated mental health challenges. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42272 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:55.830Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Department of Psychology |
| publisherStr | Department of Psychology |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42272 Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence Haniff, Khadija Schrieff, Leigh Boonzaier, Floretta intimate partner violence traumatic brain injury post-traumatic stress disorder Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a significant public health concern, resulting in substantial physical and psychological harm, particularly among women. IPV refers to abuse occurring within intimate relationships and is linked to a range of neurological injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), as well as adverse mental health outcomes like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although IPV and its effects have been extensively studied, there remains a gap in research both globally and within South Africa exploring the overlap between IPV, general and IPV-specific TBIs, and PTSD outcomes. Specifically, the literature lacks a thorough understanding of the prevalence of, and mechanisms for IPV-related TBIs, their severity and their link to PTSD. This study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative approach to examine IPV exposure, TBIs (both general and IPV-specific) and PTSD outcomes in a sample of South African women (N = 81) using self-report measures, including a Demographic Questionnaire and Asset Index, Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5, Life Events Checklist for DSM-5, Women Abuse Screening Tool, and Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire. The results demonstrated a high prevalence of IPV within the sample, with physical and emotional abuse being the most frequently co-occurring forms thereof. IPV-related TBIs were also commonly reported. Simple regression analyses indicated that IPV-related TBIs were a significant predictor (p = 0.009) of PTSD outcomes, highlighting the important role of these injuries in psychological distress. However, multiple regression analyses indicated that, collectively, no single variable stood out as the strongest predictor of PTSD outcomes. The findings of this study are largely aligned with existing research regarding the prevalence and effects of IPV. However, there is a clear need for further research to enhance the understanding of the intersection between IPV, TBIs and PTSD. Given the widespread and debilitating nature of IPV, examining its neurological and psychological effects is essential for informing trauma-sensitive interventions, practices, and policies to better support survivors experiencing IPV-related TBIs and associated mental health challenges. 2025-11-19T12:23:56Z 2025-11-19T12:23:56Z 2025 2025-11-19T06:50:21Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42272 en eng application/pdf Department of Psychology Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | intimate partner violence traumatic brain injury post-traumatic stress disorder Haniff, Khadija Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| title_full | Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| title_short | Investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a sample of South African women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| title_sort | investigating the prevalence of traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder in a sample of south african women who have experienced intimate partner violence |
| topic | intimate partner violence traumatic brain injury post-traumatic stress disorder |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42272 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT haniffkhadija investigatingtheprevalenceoftraumaticbraininjuryandposttraumaticstressdisorderinasampleofsouthafricanwomenwhohaveexperiencedintimatepartnerviolence |