The Impact of Sex Industry and Sex Work Participation and Involvement on Self-Esteem: A Review of The Literature

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The sex industry and sex work remain a complicated and heavily stigmatised industry, with implications for individuals’ self-esteem across various dimensions. Understanding how different forms of sex industry participation and sex work influence self-esteem, is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems. AIMS: The aim of this review is to synthesise existing literature to identify the relationship between sex industry participation and self-esteem and further, identify the different forms of sex industry and explore if there are differences in the self-esteem of individuals among the different categories of sex industry work as posited by the literature. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy using specific key words was employed across multiple electronic databases, including PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest and Scopus. Studies were included if they addressed and identified different types of work in the sex industry and if they examined the relationship between sex industry work and self-esteem. Studies from January 2014 to June 2024 were considered. Quality assessment was conducted meticulously to establish proper evaluation of the research and its relevance to the scope of this review. CONCLUSION: This systematic review highlights the need for comprehensive understanding of the impact of sex industry work on self-esteem of sex workers and the factors influencing this relationship. The findings may have implications for the development of targeted interventions and support services tailored to the diverse needs of individuals involved in the sex industry, aiming to promote positive self-esteem and well-being within this population. Key Words: Sex Industry, Sex work, Prostitution, Commercial sex, Transactional sex, Adult entertainment, Escort services, Self-esteem, Self-worth, Self-authenticity, Self-efficacy, Psychological well-being, Mental health