Transactional sexual activity among university students: Prevalence and clinical correlates

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the prevalence and mental health correlates of transactional sexual activity (sex for compensation) in a university sample. Methods: A 156-item anonymous survey was distributed via random email generation to 9,449 university students. Results: The prevalence of transactional sex was 2.1%. Respondents who had sold sex (n = 30) reported significantly higher rates of risky sexual behavior and mental health problems than those who had not sold sex (n = 1,405). Conclusions: Transactional sex in our sample of university students was associated with a range of impulsive or compulsive behaviors that may affect students’ health and well-being.

Keywords:

• Addiction
• impulsivity
• mental health
• sexual attitudes and behaviors
• university

Acknowledgments

Jon E. Grant has received research grant support from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors; he receives yearly compensation from Springer Publishing for acting as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Gambling Studies; and he has received royalties from American Psychiatric Publishing, McGraw Hill, Norton Press, Johns Hopkins University Press, and Oxford University Press. Katherine Lust and Gary Christenson report employment with Boynton Health. Brian L. Odlaug has received research funding from the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors; he receives royalties from Oxford University Press; and he has consulted for and is currently employed by H. Lundbeck A/S. H. Lundbeck A/S had no part in any of the studies reviewed in this article and did not contribute to this article in any form, including the decision to submit this article for publication. All other authors report no financial or other potential conflicts of interest.