Prevalence and Correlates of Sex Exchange Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults.
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.
a Department of Psychology, San Diego State University , San Diego , California , USA.
Emilio
E
Ulloa
b Joint Doctoral Program, Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University , San Diego , California , USA.
Marissa
M
Salazar
a Department of Psychology, San Diego State University , San Diego , California , USA.
Lidia
L
Monjaras
D000293:Adolescent; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012419:Runaway Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
risky sexual behavior; sexual assault; sexually transmitted infections; substance use