Women Who Sell Sex A Review of Psychological Research With Clinical Implications

Based on leading empirical psychological research from around the world, this book offers valuable insights on women who sell sex. It synthesizes the extensive body of scholarly work on the topic of women selling sex from a psychological perspective in order to understand why women choose to do so. In turn, the book highlights a range of important sociocultural contexts surrounding the sale of sex that are major sources of stress, and examines how women cope with these circumstances.

Illustrating the multi-faceted nature of selling sex, the book will contribute to debates on individual and societal responses to this major sociopolitical—and at the same time, deeply personal—issue. Including original case material and outlining future directions for researchers, it offers an informative and engaging resource for academics, researchers, students and professionals around the globe.

Chapter 1. The Psychology of Selling Sex: An Introduction.- Chapter 2. Motivations for Selling Sex.- Chapter 3. Contextual Factors: Sources of Stress and How Women Cope.- Chapter 4. Selling Sex and Mental Health Concerns.- Chapter 5. Alcohol and Drug Use and Abuse among Women Selling Sex.- Chapter 6. Transitioning Out of Selling Sex.- Chapter 7. Clinical Considerations for Mental Health Professionals.- Chapter 8. Putting It All Together: Themes in the Psychological Research on Women Who Sell Sex.

Elizabeth Krumrei Mancuso holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is Associate Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University. She has published in the areas of mental health, stress, coping, religion, spirituality, virtues (including intellectual humility, gratitude, and forgiveness), and prostitution. She currently teaches courses on psychotherapy, family therapy, advanced research methodologies, and the psychology of religion. She is licensed as a psychologist in California.

Ben Postlethwaite is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Management at Pepperdine University.  He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration and an MSc in Health Management.  His research on personality, groups and teams, and counterproductive behavior has appeared in leading psychology journals. Ben teaches courses on organizational behavior, human resources management, strategic management, and entrepreneurship.  He previously held clinical and management roles in emergency medical services.