Working memory, episodic memory and sustained attention in women survivors of intimate partner violence in Spain: The Believe Battery

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.13169/bethunivj.39.1-2022.04
• Published date: 16 November 2023
• Pages: 153-174
• Date: 16 November 2023
• Author: Carmen Fernández Fillol,Julia C. Daugherty,Natalia Hidalgo-Ruzzante,Miguel Perez García,Alvaro Lozano-Ruiz

153

Working Memory, Episodic Memory and Sustained

Attention in Women Survivors of Intimate Partner

Violence in Spain: The Believe Battery

Carmen Fernández Fillol1,6, Julia C. Daugherty2

(corresponding), Natalia Hidalgo-Ruzzante3,5, Miguel Pérez

García4,5, Álvaro Lozano-Ruiz1

1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University – VIU, Spain

2 Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive (LAPSCO), Centre National de la Recherche

Scientique (CNRS), Université Clermont Auvergne, France.

3 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Spain

4Department of Development and Educational Psychology, University of Granada, Spain

5Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, University of Granada,

Spain

6Faculty of Health Sciences, Isabel I University - UI1, Spain.

Abstract

A growing body of literature suggests that intimate partner violence (IPV) is linked to

psychopathology and lower cognitive functionality. Nonetheless, few studies have examined

neuropsychological correlates using objective neuropsychological assessments. The main

objective of this study was to assess the relationship between cognitive functioning (specically

memory and attention) and IPV. A group of women IPV survivors (n = 37) and a group of women

who had not experienced IPV (n = 23) were assessed using the Believe Battery, a comprehensive

neuropsychological battery adapted for women survivors of IPV. Findings demonstrated that

women who have suffered IPV present lower neuropsychological scores in the domains of

working memory, verbal episodic memory, and attention compared to women who have not

experienced IPV. These results suggest that IPV may have an impact on neuropsychological

functioning among women victims and survivors, thus raising an important question about

implications in clinical and forensic settings. Future studies should examine whether there are

additional differences in other cognitive domains and assess how such differences are related

to the potential causal mechanisms of violence (e.g., strangulation, head injury, chronic stress).

Key words: Neuropsychological functioning, Intimate partner violence, Women survivors.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article do not represent the opinions of

the Journal’s editorial board and staff of the Dean of Research at Bethlehem University. The

accuracy of the material and any errors in this publication are the sole responsibility of the author.

DOI:10.13169/bethunivj.39.1.2022.04

154 Bethlehem University Journal 39 (2022)

  

 

 



 

 

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”The Believe Battery“

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