Examining partnership-health associations among full-service sex workers

Generally, romantically partnered individuals report better health than romantically unpartnered individuals. Known increasingly as positive "partnership-health" associations, these may be less frequent among minority or marginalized individuals. Full-service sex workers (FSSW) are relatively common in the U.S., report relatively poor health, and engage in professional behavior that may influence their personal romantic relationships. Therefore, we assessed partnership-health associations among U.S. FSSW. Study researchers collaborated with local and national sex worker organizations, both to design an online survey of relationships and health, and to recruit participants. Here, we used t-tests to compare the health of romantically partnered versus unpartnered FSSW. Health domains assessed included mental health, e.g. depression, anxiety; physical health, e.g. sleep, fatigue; and health behaviors, e.g. substance use, sexual behavior. Results indicated that partnered FSSW reported using fewer measured drugs, using these drugs less often, and trended toward using condoms with paying partners more. However, partnered FSSW also reported more fatigue. No other group-level differences in health were reported. Overall, few positive partnership-health associations were reported among FSSW, adding to extant work indicating partnership-health associations may be attenuated within partnerships involving minority or marginalized individuals. Implications for future research, clinical work with FSSW, and health-related policy are discussed.