About this Research Topic
Sex work is a term used to describe a wide range of activities relating to the exchange of money (or its equivalent) for the provision of a sexual service. It involves approximately 40-42 million individuals globally, with women comprising over 80% of this population. The domain of sex work, often controversial and fraught with dissenting perspectives, poses significant mental health challenges for those involved. While some sex workers view their roles as acts of emancipation and self-determination, they frequently encounter societal stigma and marginalization, a dichotomy mirrored in opinions about sex work as being both a form of profession and an act intertwined with male violence and trauma. Moreover, sex work is frequently linked to criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug abuse, and exploitation, further exacerbating the risks associated with this occupation.
Previous research has predominantly concentrated on specific physical and mental health issues, such as HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as mental health concerns related to childhood maltreatment and workplace violence. Evidence points to a heightened prevalence of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among sex workers compared to the general population. Factors such as frequency of violence, specific working conditions, and migration backgrounds have been identified as significant determinants affecting the psychological well-being of sex workers.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the intricate landscape of mental health challenges faced by sex workers, exploring both the risks and resilience factors that shape their psychological health. We seek comprehensive submissions that address the following themes:
Prevalence and Determinants of Mental Health Disorders:
• Exploration of the prevalence of various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidality and substance use disorders among sex workers;
• Analysis of job-specific risks, including exposure to violence, lack of social support, and specific working environments, and their association with mental health outcomes.
Impact of Social and Legal Contexts:
• Examination of how different legal frameworks governing sex work (e.g., legal, partially legal, and illegal) influence mental health outcomes;
• Investigation of the socio-economic determinants and their roles in mental health variations among sex workers in different geographic and economic contexts.
Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Factors:
• Detailed studies on the impact of interpersonal violence, childhood trauma, and workplace harassment on mental health;
• Identification of personal resilience factors that mitigate psychological distress, such as social support networks, coping mechanisms, and access to mental health services.
Intervention and Policy Implications:
• Evaluation of current interventions aimed at improving the mental health and overall well-being of sex workers;
• Policy recommendations to address the mental health needs of this population effectively, emphasizing the necessity for tailored, context-specific health services and legal protections.
Marginalized Subgroups and Special Populations:
• Focused studies on subgroups within the sex worker community, including migrants, survivors of human trafficking, substance users, and those living with HIV;
• Comparative analyses of mental health outcomes among different sex worker subpopulations to identify specific vulnerabilities and needs.
Given the pressing need for comprehensive data on the mental health of sex workers, this Research Topic invites contributions that employ both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. By offering a platform for interdisciplinary research, we aim to foster a nuanced understanding of the mental health challenges faced by sex workers and to drive actionable insights for stakeholders involved in health care, social support, and policy-making.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this important dialogue on improving the mental health and well-being of sex workers globally.
Previous research has predominantly concentrated on specific physical and mental health issues, such as HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as mental health concerns related to childhood maltreatment and workplace violence. Evidence points to a heightened prevalence of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among sex workers compared to the general population. Factors such as frequency of violence, specific working conditions, and migration backgrounds have been identified as significant determinants affecting the psychological well-being of sex workers.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the intricate landscape of mental health challenges faced by sex workers, exploring both the risks and resilience factors that shape their psychological health. We seek comprehensive submissions that address the following themes:
Prevalence and Determinants of Mental Health Disorders:
• Exploration of the prevalence of various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidality and substance use disorders among sex workers;
• Analysis of job-specific risks, including exposure to violence, lack of social support, and specific working environments, and their association with mental health outcomes.
Impact of Social and Legal Contexts:
• Examination of how different legal frameworks governing sex work (e.g., legal, partially legal, and illegal) influence mental health outcomes;
• Investigation of the socio-economic determinants and their roles in mental health variations among sex workers in different geographic and economic contexts.
Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Factors:
• Detailed studies on the impact of interpersonal violence, childhood trauma, and workplace harassment on mental health;
• Identification of personal resilience factors that mitigate psychological distress, such as social support networks, coping mechanisms, and access to mental health services.
Intervention and Policy Implications:
• Evaluation of current interventions aimed at improving the mental health and overall well-being of sex workers;
• Policy recommendations to address the mental health needs of this population effectively, emphasizing the necessity for tailored, context-specific health services and legal protections.
Marginalized Subgroups and Special Populations:
• Focused studies on subgroups within the sex worker community, including migrants, survivors of human trafficking, substance users, and those living with HIV;
• Comparative analyses of mental health outcomes among different sex worker subpopulations to identify specific vulnerabilities and needs.
Given the pressing need for comprehensive data on the mental health of sex workers, this Research Topic invites contributions that employ both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. By offering a platform for interdisciplinary research, we aim to foster a nuanced understanding of the mental health challenges faced by sex workers and to drive actionable insights for stakeholders involved in health care, social support, and policy-making.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this important dialogue on improving the mental health and well-being of sex workers globally.
Keywords: sex work, mental health, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, violence, resilience, legal status, socio-economic factors, interventions, marginalized groups.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
