The mental health of sexually trafficked female survivors in Nepal

Background: Despite further recent research into the consequences associated with human sex trafficking, scant evidence associated with the mental health outcomes among victims of sex trafficking remains, including within Nepal where trafficking continues to be a growing problem. Aim: To investigate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of social psychiatry Vol. 62; no. 5; pp. 487 - 495
Main Authors Rimal, Retina, Papadopoulos, Chris
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.2016
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Anxiety - epidemiology
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression - epidemiology
Female
Human Trafficking
Humans
Mental Health
Nepal
Organizations
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Survivors - psychology
Women's Health
Young Adult
anxiety
depression
Sex trafficking
mental health
Nepal
women
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Summary:Background: Despite further recent research into the consequences associated with human sex trafficking, scant evidence associated with the mental health outcomes among victims of sex trafficking remains, including within Nepal where trafficking continues to be a growing problem. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and explanatory factors of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among female survivors being housed and supported by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nepal. Methods: A total of 66 female sex trafficking survivors being housed by two NGOs were purposively sampled. Anxiety and depression symptomatology were measured using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist–25 instrument and PTSD symptomatology was measured using the PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version. Results: In all, 87%, 85.5% and 29.7% of the sample scored above anxiety, depression and PTSD thresholds, respectively. HIV-positive status and length of workday during trafficking period significantly associated with at least one outcome measure. Conclusion: The results contribute further evidence of how damaging sex trafficking can be to victims, particularly in terms of being at risk of clinical depression and/or anxiety. Continued efforts to prevent trafficking from occurring as well as effective, timely intervention for survivors are needed.
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ISSN:0020-7640
1741-2854
DOI:10.1177/0020764016651457