Intimate Partner Violence Among LGBTQ+ Populations in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review

Background and Purpose

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical public health issue that disproportionately impacts individuals across diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, including the LGBTQ+ community. While increasing attention has been given to the unique vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Western society, research on this issue remains limited in Southeast Asia. This region's diverse sociocultural norms and legal frameworks often heighten the risk of IPV. This outcome further complicates access to support and protection for LGBTQ+ individuals. The current scoping review aims to identify and synthesize existing literature on IPV experiences, risk factors, health-related outcomes, and intervention strategies among LGBTQ+ populations in Southeast Asia.

Methods

A comprehensive database search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews. Peer-reviewed articles that examined IPV among LGBTQ+ individuals in Southeast Asia, regardless of study design and publishing year, were included. Four reviewers independently screened the articles, and discrepancies were resolved by group consensus. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize IPV experiences, associated risk and protective factors, and health-related outcomes.

Results

Of 111 initial records, only n=12 met the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted in Thailand (n=4), Philippines (n=2), Malaysia (n=1), Indonesia (n=1), Myanmar (n=1), Singapore (n=1), Vietnam (n=1), and one study drew its sample from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea-Bougainville. Most studies utilized quantitative cross-sectional data (n=9, 75%), n=2 (16%) were qualitative investigations, and n=1 (8%) utilized mixed methods. IPV was assessed using a variety of measurement tools, leading to inconsistencies in prevalence estimates and comparability across studies. The findings indicated that LGBTQ+ individuals experience elevated rates of IPV, encompassing physical, sexual, and emotional violence. Internalized homophobia, discrimination, childhood abuse, and limited social connectedness were associated with an increased risk of experiencing IPV, while healthy interpersonal relationships and social support were identified as protective factors. Experiencing IPV was associated with increased rates of depression, substance misuse, and suicidality. None of the studies examined help-seeking behaviors, and no intervention was designed to promote IPV services.

Conclusions and Implications

This scoping review highlights the significant burden of IPV among LGBTQ+ individuals in Southeast Asia and underscores the urgent need for further research and intervention development. The findings reveal critical gaps in the literature, including inconsistencies in measurement tools, the absence of studies on help-seeking behaviors, and a lack of interventions tailored to address IPV within this population. Unique to this region, sociocultural stigma, criminalization of same-sex relationships, and limited legal protections may heighten vulnerability to IPV and hinder access to support - factors less prominent in Western society. Given the adverse mental health and substance use outcomes associated with IPV, there is a pressing need for culturally responsive and inclusive support services. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and mixed-methods studies to better capture the dynamics of IPV over time. Interventions must address stigma, promote awareness, and improve access to care. Collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and LGBTQ+ advocates is essential to developing contextually grounded strategies that ensure safety and well-being across diverse identities.