title: Preliminary Validation of the Sex Trafficking Attitudes Scale.
abstract: This study presents the Sex Trafficking Attitudes Scale (STAS), assessing cognitive, behavioral, and affective attitudes toward the sex trafficking of women and girls. Across two studies, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed and confirmed six subscales: (a) Knowledge About Sex Trafficking, (b) Awareness of Sex Trafficking, (c) Attitudes Toward Ability to Leave Sex Trafficking, (d) Attitudes Toward Helping Survivors, (e) Empathic Reactions Toward Sex Trafficking, and (f) Efficacy to Reduce Sex Trafficking. Results showed support for convergent validity as the subscales were associated with related measures. The STAS holds promise to expand research and inform efforts to support trafficking survivors.
authors.affiliation: DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA jhoust12@depaul.edu.
authors.forename: Jaclyn D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Houston-Kolnik
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.affiliation: DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Midge
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D064410:Human Trafficking / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: gender; human trafficking; scale validation; sex trafficking; sexual violence