Manuscript Number : IJSRST207533

The Impact of Sex Work on Psychological Wellbeing

Authors(3) :-Dr. Danesh Karunanayake, Nirmala Jayasundara, N. D. U. Vimukthi

A controversial type of profession undertaken by women is sex work or prostitution, always subjected to regulation by law or convention. Sex workers are often stigmatized, marginalized, and criminalized by the societies in which they live. The profession of sex work may impact on the psychological wellbeing of the workers. This study aims to explore the impact of sex work on the psychological wellbeing of female sex workers. Qualitative design was used as the research design. The study used a purposive sample of five female sex workers and semi-structured interviews as the key method of data collection. The questions of the semi-structured interview were developed along the six dimensions of Ryff

Authors and Affiliations

Dr. Danesh Karunanayake
Department of Psychology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Nirmala Jayasundara
Department of Psychology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
N. D. U. Vimukthi
Department of Psychology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Psychological Wellbeing, Sex work, Female sex workers, Eudaimonic wellbeing

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Publication Details

Published in : Volume 7 | Issue 5 | September-October 2020
Date of Publication : 2020-10-30
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 180-190
Manuscript Number : IJSRST207533
Publisher : Technoscience Academy

Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Online ISSN : 2395-602X

Cite This Article :

Dr. Danesh Karunanayake, Nirmala Jayasundara, N. D. U. Vimukthi, " The Impact of Sex Work on Psychological Wellbeing", International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Volume 7, Issue 5, pp.180-190, September-October-2020. Available at doi : https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRST207533    
Journal URL : https://ijsrst.com/IJSRST207533
Citation Detection and Elimination     |      | |
  • During EM, Van der Meulen E, Bruckert C. Red Light Labour: Sex Work Regulation, Agency, and Resistance. Vancouver: UBC Press; 2018.
  • El-Bassel, N., Schilling, R. F., Irwin, K. L., Faruque, S., Gilbert, L., Bargen, J. V., . . . Edlin, B. R. (1997, January). Sex Trading and Psychological Distress. American Journal of Public Health, 87(1), 66-70. Retrieved 6 17, 2017, from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/162e/f692aa852ccfe11f7f851bcb3b14f190b23b.pdf
  • Farley, M., Baral, I., Kiremire, M., & Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Feminism & Psychology, 8(4), 405-426. Retrieved May 10, 2017, from file:///C:/Users/NCCS/Desktop/dissertation/already%20done/Prostitution_in_Five_Countries_Violence.pdf
  • Jordal, M., Öhman, A. & Wijewardene, K., (2019.) Respectability and rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights of Sri Lankan women formerly involved in prostitution, Contemporary South Asia, 28:1, 28-42, DOI: 10.1080/09584935.2019.1667301
  • Karunanayake, D. (2005). Material Independence and emotional independence in relation to sex, socio economic status, population density and college student adjustment. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA, Proquest Dissertation Publishing, 3191495. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://search.proquest.com/openview/313b0cc37bce98c9c4bd7aa4d7ffee27/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  • Kramer, L. A., & Berg, E. C. (2003, November). A Survival Analysis of Timing of Entry into Prostitution: The Differential Impact of Race, Educational Level, and Childhood/Adolescent Risk Factors. Sociological Inquiry, 73(4), 511–528. DOI:10.1111/1475-682X.00069
  • Miller, J., and K. Carbone-Lopez. 2013. “Gendered Carceral Regimes in Sri Lanka: Colonial Laws, Postcolonial Practices, and the Social Control of Sex Workers.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 39 (1): 79–103. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®], [Google Scholar]
  • Poutanen M.A., (2015). Beyond brutal passions: prostitution in the early nineteenth century. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP.
  • Qayyum, Shahid & Iqbal, Mian Muhammad Ahmad & Iqbal, Ahmed & Akhtar, Ali & Hayat, Aamir & Janjua, Irfan & Tabassum, Shazia. (2013). Causes and decisions of women's involvement in prostitution and its consequences in Punjab, Pakistan. Academic Research International. 4. 398-411.
  • Ratnapala, N. (1999). Sri Lankawe Ganikawo. Ratmalana: Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha Publishers.
  • Robertson Cooper, (2018). What is Psychological well-being? Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.robertsoncooper.com, 2020.08.18
  • Rossler, W., Koch, U., Lauber, C., Hass, A., Altwegg, M., Gross, V., & Landolt, K. (2010). The mental health of female sex workers. Journal of Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia, 1-10. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009. 01533.x
  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness Is Everything, or Is It? Explorations on the Meaning of Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1069-1081. DOI:0022-3514/89/SOO. 75
  • Sanders, T. (2004). A continuum of risk? The management of health, physical, and emotional risks by female sex workers. DOI:10.1111/j.0141-9889.2004. 00405.x
  • Sanders, T. (2004, April). Controllable Laughter: Managing Sex Work Through Humour. Sociology, 38(2), 273-291. DOI:10.1177/0038038504040864
  • Sterk, C. (2000) Tricking and Tripping: Prostitution in the Era of AIDS. New York: Social Change Press.
  • Weitzer, R. (2009, February). Sociology of Sex Work. 35, 213–234. DOI:0.1146/annurev-soc-070308-120025
  • Young, A. M., Boyd, C. J., & Hubbell, A. (2000, October). Prostitution, Drug Use, and coping with Psychological Distress. Journal of Drug Issues, 30(4), 789-800. DOI:10.1177/002204260003000407
    • " target="_blank"> BibTeX     |
  • During EM, Van der Meulen E, Bruckert C. Red Light Labour: Sex Work Regulation, Agency, and Resistance. Vancouver: UBC Press; 2018.
  • El-Bassel, N., Schilling, R. F., Irwin, K. L., Faruque, S., Gilbert, L., Bargen, J. V., . . . Edlin, B. R. (1997, January). Sex Trading and Psychological Distress. American Journal of Public Health, 87(1), 66-70. Retrieved 6 17, 2017, from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/162e/f692aa852ccfe11f7f851bcb3b14f190b23b.pdf
  • Farley, M., Baral, I., Kiremire, M., & Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Feminism & Psychology, 8(4), 405-426. Retrieved May 10, 2017, from file:///C:/Users/NCCS/Desktop/dissertation/already%20done/Prostitution_in_Five_Countries_Violence.pdf
  • Jordal, M., Öhman, A. & Wijewardene, K., (2019.) Respectability and rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights of Sri Lankan women formerly involved in prostitution, Contemporary South Asia, 28:1, 28-42, DOI: 10.1080/09584935.2019.1667301
  • Karunanayake, D. (2005). Material Independence and emotional independence in relation to sex, socio economic status, population density and college student adjustment. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA, Proquest Dissertation Publishing, 3191495. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://search.proquest.com/openview/313b0cc37bce98c9c4bd7aa4d7ffee27/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  • Kramer, L. A., & Berg, E. C. (2003, November). A Survival Analysis of Timing of Entry into Prostitution: The Differential Impact of Race, Educational Level, and Childhood/Adolescent Risk Factors. Sociological Inquiry, 73(4), 511–528. DOI:10.1111/1475-682X.00069
  • Miller, J., and K. Carbone-Lopez. 2013. “Gendered Carceral Regimes in Sri Lanka: Colonial Laws, Postcolonial Practices, and the Social Control of Sex Workers.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 39 (1): 79–103. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®], [Google Scholar]
  • Poutanen M.A., (2015). Beyond brutal passions: prostitution in the early nineteenth century. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP.
  • Qayyum, Shahid & Iqbal, Mian Muhammad Ahmad & Iqbal, Ahmed & Akhtar, Ali & Hayat, Aamir & Janjua, Irfan & Tabassum, Shazia. (2013). Causes and decisions of women's involvement in prostitution and its consequences in Punjab, Pakistan. Academic Research International. 4. 398-411.
  • Ratnapala, N. (1999). Sri Lankawe Ganikawo. Ratmalana: Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha Publishers.
  • Robertson Cooper, (2018). What is Psychological well-being? Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.robertsoncooper.com, 2020.08.18
  • Rossler, W., Koch, U., Lauber, C., Hass, A., Altwegg, M., Gross, V., & Landolt, K. (2010). The mental health of female sex workers. Journal of Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia, 1-10. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009. 01533.x
  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness Is Everything, or Is It? Explorations on the Meaning of Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1069-1081. DOI:0022-3514/89/SOO. 75
  • Sanders, T. (2004). A continuum of risk? The management of health, physical, and emotional risks by female sex workers. DOI:10.1111/j.0141-9889.2004. 00405.x
  • Sanders, T. (2004, April). Controllable Laughter: Managing Sex Work Through Humour. Sociology, 38(2), 273-291. DOI:10.1177/0038038504040864
  • Sterk, C. (2000) Tricking and Tripping: Prostitution in the Era of AIDS. New York: Social Change Press.
  • Weitzer, R. (2009, February). Sociology of Sex Work. 35, 213–234. DOI:0.1146/annurev-soc-070308-120025
  • Young, A. M., Boyd, C. J., & Hubbell, A. (2000, October). Prostitution, Drug Use, and coping with Psychological Distress. Journal of Drug Issues, 30(4), 789-800. DOI:10.1177/002204260003000407
    • " target="_blank">RIS     |
  • During EM, Van der Meulen E, Bruckert C. Red Light Labour: Sex Work Regulation, Agency, and Resistance. Vancouver: UBC Press; 2018.
  • El-Bassel, N., Schilling, R. F., Irwin, K. L., Faruque, S., Gilbert, L., Bargen, J. V., . . . Edlin, B. R. (1997, January). Sex Trading and Psychological Distress. American Journal of Public Health, 87(1), 66-70. Retrieved 6 17, 2017, from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/162e/f692aa852ccfe11f7f851bcb3b14f190b23b.pdf
  • Farley, M., Baral, I., Kiremire, M., & Sezgin, U. (1998). Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Feminism & Psychology, 8(4), 405-426. Retrieved May 10, 2017, from file:///C:/Users/NCCS/Desktop/dissertation/already%20done/Prostitution_in_Five_Countries_Violence.pdf
  • Jordal, M., Öhman, A. & Wijewardene, K., (2019.) Respectability and rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights of Sri Lankan women formerly involved in prostitution, Contemporary South Asia, 28:1, 28-42, DOI: 10.1080/09584935.2019.1667301
  • Karunanayake, D. (2005). Material Independence and emotional independence in relation to sex, socio economic status, population density and college student adjustment. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA, Proquest Dissertation Publishing, 3191495. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://search.proquest.com/openview/313b0cc37bce98c9c4bd7aa4d7ffee27/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  • Kramer, L. A., & Berg, E. C. (2003, November). A Survival Analysis of Timing of Entry into Prostitution: The Differential Impact of Race, Educational Level, and Childhood/Adolescent Risk Factors. Sociological Inquiry, 73(4), 511–528. DOI:10.1111/1475-682X.00069
  • Miller, J., and K. Carbone-Lopez. 2013. “Gendered Carceral Regimes in Sri Lanka: Colonial Laws, Postcolonial Practices, and the Social Control of Sex Workers.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 39 (1): 79–103. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®], [Google Scholar]
  • Poutanen M.A., (2015). Beyond brutal passions: prostitution in the early nineteenth century. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP.
  • Qayyum, Shahid & Iqbal, Mian Muhammad Ahmad & Iqbal, Ahmed & Akhtar, Ali & Hayat, Aamir & Janjua, Irfan & Tabassum, Shazia. (2013). Causes and decisions of women's involvement in prostitution and its consequences in Punjab, Pakistan. Academic Research International. 4. 398-411.
  • Ratnapala, N. (1999). Sri Lankawe Ganikawo. Ratmalana: Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha Publishers.
  • Robertson Cooper, (2018). What is Psychological well-being? Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.robertsoncooper.com, 2020.08.18
  • Rossler, W., Koch, U., Lauber, C., Hass, A., Altwegg, M., Gross, V., & Landolt, K. (2010). The mental health of female sex workers. Journal of Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia, 1-10. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009. 01533.x
  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness Is Everything, or Is It? Explorations on the Meaning of Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1069-1081. DOI:0022-3514/89/SOO. 75
  • Sanders, T. (2004). A continuum of risk? The management of health, physical, and emotional risks by female sex workers. DOI:10.1111/j.0141-9889.2004. 00405.x
  • Sanders, T. (2004, April). Controllable Laughter: Managing Sex Work Through Humour. Sociology, 38(2), 273-291. DOI:10.1177/0038038504040864
  • Sterk, C. (2000) Tricking and Tripping: Prostitution in the Era of AIDS. New York: Social Change Press.
  • Weitzer, R. (2009, February). Sociology of Sex Work. 35, 213–234. DOI:0.1146/annurev-soc-070308-120025
  • Young, A. M., Boyd, C. J., & Hubbell, A. (2000, October). Prostitution, Drug Use, and coping with Psychological Distress. Journal of Drug Issues, 30(4), 789-800. DOI:10.1177/002204260003000407
    • " target="_blank">CSV

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