The Impact of Violence, Perceived Stigma, and Other Work-related Stressors on Depressive Symptoms Among Women Engaged in Sex Work

Overview

Journal Glob Soc Welf

Publisher Springer Nature

Date 2018 Mar 27

PMID 29577014

Citations 8

Authors

Catherine E Carlson

Susan S Witte

Andrea Norcini Pala

Laura Cordisco Tsai

Milton Wainberg

Toivgoo Aira

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

While the physical health risks of sex work have been well documented, fewer studies have explored mental health risks associated with sex work. This study examined rates of depressive symptoms and associated risk factors among women engaged in sex work in Mongolia (n=222), a country experiencing significant economic and social development and where mental health infrastructure is in its infancy. A linear regression analysis indicated that significant risk factors for depressive symptoms included paying partner sexual violence, perceived occupational stigma, less social support, and higher harmful alcohol use. As one of the first studies to examine depression among sex workers, this study holds important social welfare implications for this marginalized population in Mongolia and other low-resource settings globally.

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