SILENT SUFFERING OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY: DISCLOSURE OF COVERT AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURS VIA ONLINE SURVEY

Abstract

Living in a traditional society, where speaking about negative behaviours of a partner is often frowned upon, makes it harder to discuss Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This secrecy creates stigma, continues the cycle of violence, and keeps people from seeking help, leading to mental health issues. In Malaysia, police statistics show a serious prevalence of IPV each year, but these numbers likely only show a small part of the actual problem. Many cases of IPV go unreported or are not fully documented, making it hard to assess how common it is accurately. This study aims to fill those gaps. The research used an online survey conducted through Google Forms and shared on social media. Participants included adults aged 18 and older who speak Malay, are currently in an intimate relationship, and have internet access. This study used the Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) to evaluate IPV and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression. The researchers performed descriptive analysis to find the prevalence of IPV and depression, and correlation analysis to examine how the two are related. The connection between IPV and suicidal behaviours were measured using Subscale 9 of the PHQ-9. Out of 3,120 participants, 875 (28%) reported experiencing depression. More than half reported physical (65.4%), emotional (66.3%), or sexual (69.2%) violence. The study found a positive correlation between IPV and depression (r=0.180; p<0.001), and a significant association between IPV and suicidal behaviours (F=53.767; p<0.001). These findings show that digital screening tools can help shape future policies and interventions. The high levels of IPV reported by both men and women in Malaysia highlight the urgent
need for action. IPV increases the chances of depression and raises the risk of suicidal behaviours. These results are important for public health policies and support the need
to include IPV mental health screenings on national digital health platforms. Working together with various groups, including government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), is crucial to ending IPV and providing support to vulnerable people. Additionally,
this research adds to the growing understanding of hidden IPV, especially in traditional societies, by confirming that digital methods can help identify hidden abuse.