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ABSTRACT
The present study examines prevalence and correlates of exchanging sex for drugs, money, food shelter, or other favors (sex exchange) among a nationally representative sample of youth and young adults. Adolescents and young adults (n = 11,620, 53% female, 47% male) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used for the current sample. Participants completed in-home interviews at both waves. Results revealed that sex exchange was reported by 4.9% (n = 569) of the population in wave 2 or wave 3, and 4.6% (n = 26) of those who exchanged sex did so at both waves. More males reported exchanging sex than females (n = 332 versus n = 237). Respondents who reported child sexual abuse were more likely to exchange sex (95% CI 2.51–4.28, p < .05) than respondents who reported any other form of child abuse. Both males and females who engaged in sex exchange were at greater risk for sexually transmitted infections; however, the odds of ever exchanging sex were highest among males who ever had gonorrhea (OR = 6.2; 95% CI 3.75–10.3). Although sex exchange has been studied extensively among homeless and runaway youth, the current study reveals sex exchange also occurs in the general population.
Funding
The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant T32DA023356-08S1.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Emilio Ulloa
Emilio Ulloa, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Marissa Salazar
Marissa Salazar, Joint Doctoral Program, Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego USA and San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Lidia Monjaras
Lidia Monjaras, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.