Involvement in the Sex Trades among University Students: Findings from Cognitive Interviews to Develop a Nuanced Survey Measure on Sex Trading
Lara Gerassi, MSW, LCSW, PhD & Laura Zimmerman, MSW, LCSW | September 20 | 1:45-2:45 pm
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
University students’ involvement in the sex trades is critically understudied in the U.S. Further, many U.S. quantitative studies that identify sex trading use a single item (e.g., “have you ever traded sex for money or drugs?”) to address a complex, stigmatized phenomenon (see ADD Health). However, using multiple, behaviorally specific questions has been shown to better detect highly sensitive and stigmatized behaviors (Cook et al., 2011). To address these gaps, this study sought to 1) adapt, develop, and refine a preliminary, multi-item measure, and 2) understand the experiences of undergraduate and graduate students who are involved in virtual and in-person sex trades. The presenters use a community engaged, direct content analytic approach and conducted 34 cognitive interviews with students who were familiar with sex trading. Results suggest that some students, particularly those from low-income and first-generation backgrounds, trade sex in-person and virtually to support themselves and report positive (e.g., money, access to social capital) and negative health consequences (e.g., sexual assault, being blackmailed and scammed, and reproductive and mental health issues). Further, language used in single-item studies may not reflect participants’ views of the sex trades. Items that address the circumstances of sex trading (including economic needs, wants, exploitation, empowerment/pleasure) were important in capturing diverse experiences. Findings call for integration of multi-item measures to identify involvement in and circumstances of the sex trades in general populations as well as university specific contexts. Implications for practice, policy, and future research that can support and empower students are discussed.
Presentation Objectives:
· Provide an overview of sex trading involvement among college students in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany
· Provide an overview of the benefits of multi-item measure to identify complex social phenomena, including sex trades
· Present research study findings
· Examine calls to action for practice and policy implications, as well as future research with university students and multi-item measures