Depression, Anxiety and Suicidal Behaviors among Domestic Violence Survivors during the lockdown Covid-19 pandemic: The Malaysian COMET-G study

Abstract

During the COVID-19 lockdown, home isolation increased the opportunity for domestic violence (DV). Being trapped in an abusive situation can lead to mental health problems. This study, part of the larger COMET-G study, a COVID-19 mental health global initiative of more than 40 countries, aimed to determine the prevalence of DV during the pandemic and to compare the differences between depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior of those with and without self-reported DV. It is a cross-sectional survey conducted via online self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire contained a self-reported DV, socio-demographic, and the COMET-G questionnaire on the Risk Assessment Suicidality Scale (RASS), the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The total number of participants was 627. The proportion of participants with self-reported DV was 12.4%. Of those who had self-reported DV, the main types of DV were economic (57.7%) and mental abuse (44.9%). Univariate analyses show significant associations between self-reported DV and depression, suicidal intention, and the changes in suicidal tendencies before and during the pandemic. Regression analyses indicate only suicidal intention (p<0.001; OR=1.128; 95%CI=1.043-1.220) and changes in suicide tendency before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001; OR=1.751;95%CI=1.328-2.310) increase the odds for self-reported DV. This study highlights the importance of recognizing the dangers of DV escalation during a pandemic and its link to depression and suicidal ideations among the victims. It also underscores the crucial need for support measures to be put in place to help DV victims, especially during lockdowns.