Silent Killers of the Night: An Exploration of Psychological Health and Suicidality among Female Street Sex Workers

Abstract

This article examines factors that relate to psychological health (as measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument) as well as suicide attempts among female street sex workers (FSSWs) in Hong Kong. On average, our sampled FSSWs scored significantly lower on the psychological health domain in comparison to the general Hong Kong female population. Factors associated with the working environment in the sex industry were significantly associated with poor psychological health and suicidality. Greater attention is needed to examine the physical and emotional harm intrinsic to certain occupations and the role of financial needs in the experience of psychological stress.

Notes

∗After Bonferroni adjustment, α = 0.002.

^†Adjusted for education level, marital status, self-perceived health status and age.

^†p < 0.05.

∗p < 0.10.