This study examined the extent to which symptoms associated with potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) in women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) overlap with symptoms typically present after a sport-related concussion (SRC). This was accomplished by comparing the responses of a group of IPV survivors on the Brain Injury Severity Assessment (BISA) tool, an IPV-specific questionnaire developed to assess symptoms of TBI in this population; and the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5), a questionnaire commonly used in diagnosing and managing SRC. In addition, psychopathological assessments of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety were also completed to account for any potential confounding influence of these factors on TBI symptom reporting. Eighteen women who had experienced IPV were recruited from agencies providing services to this population, primarily a high-barrier community-based women’s shelter. Results showed that the total number of reported brain injuries were higher when employing the BISA compared to the SCAT5, the strongest symptom based correlations linked to the extent of brain injury were associated with arousal states (“Fatigue”, “Anxious”, “Drowsiness”, “Just Don’t Feel Right”) or aspects of memory and cognition (“Difficulty Concentrating”, “Difficulty Remembering”), and the extent of brain injury as determined by both the BISA and SCAT5 was related to the degree of depression and anxiety but not that of PTSD. Taken together, these findings can contribute to the development of enhanced screening tools and supports to help front-line staff at women’s shelters identify TBI as a possible contributor to the challenges faced by IPV survivors. By this means, women who have experienced IPV will be more likely to break the cycle of abuse and have more positive long-term health outcomes.

Characterizing symptoms of traumatic brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence