Threats during sex work and association with mental health among young female sex workers in Hong Kong

Abstract

Young female sex workers (YFSWs) are confronted with significant threats during sex work. The present cross-sectional study examined different levels of threats (i.e., threats to life and health, threats to humanity, threats to control of work and financial security, and the threats to future) experienced by 87 YFSWs (age 16-25) in Hong Kong, and identified their association with mental health (i.e., psychological well-being) together with other factors, including childhood trauma, self-efficacy, hope, and social support. Results showed that the participants encountered a significant number of threats. More than half reported that they had a condom removed by clients during sex (51.7%); or have been humililated by clients (51.7%). Because of sex work, about a quarter (25.3%) have had sexually transmitted disease, and respectively 10.3% and 12.6% have had abortion and unplanned pregnancy. The majority have had friends found out that they engaged in sex work (72.4%). They also showed a high level of worry about the various threats. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that childhood trauma (β = -.26) and worry about threats during sex work (β = -.22) were significantly negative predictors, while self-efficacy (β = .20) and hope (β = .27) were significantly positive predictors of mental health. Future services should improve YFSWs' skills to minimize potential threats during female sex work, address the structural correlates and relieve their worries, and empower them with more hope and self-efficacy in choosing clients.

Social support for women working in the sex business

“…Ondrášek (2020) came to the same result in his dissertation. However, our re-search did not show a statistically significant effect of age, whichMo et al (2018) stated in their study conclusions. Regarding another socio-demographic variable -education, our research found no effect.…”

“…Mo et al (2018) reached similar conclusions. They state that the perception of provided social support correlated with time spent in the sex business and age.…”

“…In addition, the level of social support also correlates positively with the use of protection against sexually transmitted diseases (Qiao et al, 2015) and the search for professional help and related exit programmes (Sarafian, 2012). The research of Mo et al (2018) shows a correlation between the perception of social support provided and age and time in the sex business. The authors also point out that social support is not enough to improve the above parameters in the case of major psychological traumas.…”

Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety symptoms among out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

“…The current study showed that having engaged in sex work in the previous six months was associated with an increased likelihood of reporting anxiety symptoms. Evidence shows that the sex work environment is associated with physical hostility and bullying from older female sex workers as well as harassment and other forms of violence from both the clients as well as community and local authorities[72–74]. These threats create a constant state of tension among AGYW who sell sex[74].…”