Dissertation Defence: Characterizing Intimate Partner Violence- Caused Brain Injury in The 2S/LGBTQIA+ Community
May 29 at 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tori Stranges, supervised by Dr. Paul van Donkelaar, will defend their dissertation titled “Characterizing Intimate Partner Violence- Caused Brain Injury in The 2S/LGBTQIA+ Community” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology.
An abstract for Tori Stranges’ dissertation is included below.
Examinations are open to all members of the campus community as well as the general public. Registration is not required for in-person exams.
Abstract
Brain injury (BI) is a well-documented consequence that results from experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). Current research regarding IPV-caused BI (IPV-BI) has been critiqued for its exclusion of 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities. This ongoing lack of recognition in research entrenches heteronormative and cisgender ideologies not only into the research process, but into communities of care designed to support survivors of IPV. This doctoral dissertation employed a mixed methods approach to first characterize the extent to which 2S/LGBTQIA+ survivors are experiencing IPV- caused BI through an observational cross-sectional online survey. The results demonstrated that 68% of our sample had experienced IPV that resulted in symptoms consistent with a BI. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were then conducted with service providers who work with 2S/LGBTQIA+ survivors of IPV-BI. Data was collected and analyzed using both constructivist grounded theory to explore the systemic and structural barriers that influence service delivery for 2S/LGBTQIA+ survivors of IPV, and interpretive description to generate practice-oriented insights for key IPV service provider organizations (SPOs). This study represents a foundational step in characterizing IPV-BI within 2S/LGBTQIA+ populations, challenging traditional IPV frameworks rooted in heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and patriarchy, and demanding an expanded service lens in key IPV SPOs that affirms the diversity of all people regardless of gender identity, or sexual orientation. This doctoral dissertation culminates by illuminating the critical IPV and IPV-BI public health crisis in 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities located in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. Ultimately, it advances our understanding of its prevalence, context, and systemic barriers to care. Let this research be a call to action for scholars, policymakers, and community members alike. The work ahead will require sustained effort, compassion, and a commitment to equity. Together, we have the opportunity to create a future where survivors of IPV-BI are not only heard but supported, where services are inclusive, accessible, and grounded in justice, and where the voices of 2S/LGBTQIA+ individuals are integral to shaping the care and research that affect their lives. Let us move forward with intention, urgency, and a deep respect for the communities we serve.
