Women who have experienced domestic violence are 44% more likely to die from any cause compared to the general population. They also have a 51% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a 31% higher risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Babies born to mothers who experience domestic violence during pregnancy have altered brain development and changes in brain structure. In females, maternal exposure to IPV was associated with a smaller amygdala, a brain area associated with social and emotional development. In males, the caudate nucleus size was increased. This brain area is associated with multiple functions including memory, learning, reward, and movement. The findings may explain why children of mothers who experience domestic abuse are more likely to suffer from mental health problems later in life.
Many survivors of domestic violence are likely to have experienced repeated head injuries and oxygen deprivation. The injuries resulted in memory loss, anxiety, and visual problems. Of the 49 people interviewed for this study, 81% report being hit in the head by their partner, while 83% report strangulation events.