Bonus/Malus Difference?

[Jayem]

Does anyone have any idea what this actually means? In the pause menu, you have several points relating to "Malus". I've been assuming that it refers to the enemies in the game collectively, but I'm not sure that I notice any difference as the Malus vs Bonus meter goes down or up.

It does appear that taking damage lowers your bonus until eventually you get to minus figures, but again, I have no idea what that means. Is it a damage bonus? Does it just apply to bosses? Is damage taken the only way to lower the value? Any help would be appreciated.