Factors Affecting Anxiety and Depression of Women After the Exit of Prostitution

Abstract

This is an exploratory investigation of individual, familial and traumatic factors on the levels of anxiety and depression of women in post-prostitution. 235 women were recruited through 26 community-based centers for sex-worker survivors. The SCL-90-R scale was administered to the participants for investigating the levels of anxiety and depression. The statistical analysis revealed that the mean scores of anxiety and depression were 12.25 and 18.46, respectively. Most of all, a high-risk women for anxiety and depression consisted of 3.40% and 5.53% of the total. It indicates that women in the high-risk groups are more vulnerable in mental health problems than women in general. Multiple regression analysis showed that low self-esteem, experience of abuse in childhood, low satisfaction toward her caregiver, a history of drug abuse predicted higher scores on the anxiety measure. In addition, low self-esteem, a history of drug abuse, and experience of violence during prostitution predicted higher depression scores. Based on the results, several implications were discussed in developing strategies including clinical interventions to alleviate the levels of anxiety and depression of women after the exit of prostitution, policy-makings to improve their mental health in general, and empowerment of service-providers for them.