PARTNER VIOLENCE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION IN FEMALE SEX WORKERS

Abstract

The Present study aimed to investigate the relationship between partner violence, psychological distress and body image perception in female sex workers. Sample of the study consisted of (N=60) female sex worker with the age range of 18-40 years of age. Data was collected from different areas of east and central Lahore. Severity of violence against women scale 46 items Marshall, (1997), Kessler psychological distress scale (Kessler, 2002) 10 items and body esteem scale Revised (Franzoi & Shield, 2013) were used to measure study variables.  Statistical data was analyzed by using SPPS. Statistical analysis included correlation, regression analysis, t test and one way Anova analysis. Significant relationship was found between partner violence and psychological distress whereas partner violence was the significant predictor of psychological distress.56 out of 60 female sex workers were clinically distress. Body image perception was not significantly correlated with partner violence whereas body image perception was significantly high in female sex worker. There was significant negative relationship between body image perception and psychological distress. Income of sex workers was significantly correlated with psychological distress. Age and duration of the profession significantly related with violence and psychological distress. Findings suggest a need to address the issues attached to sex work and the forms of violence they face from their intimate partners.