Physical intimate partner violence linked to decreases in cognitive performance

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A recent study suggests that women who experience physical intimate partner violence may face a faster decline in working memory performance, a cognitive function essential for tasks such as recalling a phone number, according to study authors. These findings were presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Chicago, from September 10-14.

Memory impairment is often seen as a natural part of aging. However, this study highlights how certain factors, such as intimate partner violence, can exacerbate the decline. According to the research, 1 in 3 women will experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime, which can have significant short- and long-term health effects, such as impaired cognitive function

The study, which included data from more than 1,700 participants in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), focused on whether physical violence experienced during pre- or early-perimenopause is linked to a steeper decline in cognitive performance. Researchers adjusted their analysis for factors such as race/ethnicity, education, financial strain, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and bodily pain.

Researchers assessed a total of 1,713 women who experienced physical IPV before or during early perimenopause. The study examined scores from 3 cognitive tests: the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the East Boston Memory Test, and the Digit Span Backwards (DSB) test, with cognitive outcomes assessed 6 times between SWAN follow-up visits 7 and 15.

At the SWAN baseline, 3.1% of participants reported experiencing physical IPV within the prior year. After adjusting for variables such as race/ethnicity, education, financial strain, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and bodily pain.

The findings revealed that women who reported experiencing physical violence in the year before their SWAN baseline interview exhibited a significantly greater decline in working memory over time, compared to those who had not experienced such violence. These results align with previous research, according to the authors, reinforcing the association between intimate partner violence and negative cognitive outcomes.

"This analysis underscores the importance of further research into intimate partner violence, which may be an under-recognized source of unfavorable cognitive aging," said lead researcher Jillian Baker, MPH, BA, a PhD student from the University of Michigan.

Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, medical director of The Menopause Society, also emphasized the importance of these findings. "It's important for healthcare providers to understand the association between physical violence and mental health," she said. " The high incidence of intimate partner violence should further prompt healthcare professionals to open the conversation about this sensitive issue with their patients."

Reference:

Baker J, Greendale GA, Hood MM, Karlamanga AS, Harlow SD. Experiences of physical intimate partner violence and longitudinal cognitive performance in midlife women: findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Presented at: 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society. Chicago, Illinois. September 10-14, 2024.