Mental health of female sex workers in the COVID-19 pandemic: stressors and coping strategies

Ciencia e Saude Coletiva

article

Couto, Pablo Luiz Santos¹  Porcino, Carle²  Pereira, Samantha Souza da Costa³  Gomes, Antônio Marcos Tosoli⁴  França, Luiz Carlos Moraes⁵  Vilela, Alba Benemérita Alves⁶ 

[1] Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia;Universidade Federal da Bahia;Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros;Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro;UERJ;UESB

关键词: Sex Professionals;    Mental health;    Nursing Theory;    Coping strategies;    Pandemics;   

DOI  :  10.1590/1413-81232022279.16462021EN

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Associacao Brasileira de Pos - Graduacao em Saude Coletiva

【 摘 要 】

The objective was to analyze the coping strategies adopted by female sex workers in the face of stressors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative study supported by Systems and Coping theories. An in-depth interview was carried out with 30 sex workers from the Alto Sertão Produtivo Baiano between September and October 2020. The narratives were submitted to the resources of hermeneutics-dialectic to organize the categories. Four categories make reference to the system’s stressors: negative feelings of fear, anxiety and difficulties in sleeping with the uncertainties in the face of the pandemic; concern about personal and family support; irritability in the face of conflicts; anxieties and insecurities with working conditions. Five categories allude to coping: strategies focused on the problem (pandemic); reframing and regulation of emotions; spirituality and religiosity; support networks and social support; use of medications. Stressors arise as a result of sexual service experiences combined with the pandemic situation with reduced customers and income, leading to the development of negative feelings and emotions. However, coping strategies are diverse and they women made effort to deal with problems and to balance their mental health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY