Citation
Williams, Shante (2016). The Role of Problem Behaviors in the Pathway from Abuse to Prostitution.
Abstract
Research has suggested that behaviors beginning in childhood or adolescence may play a mediating role in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and involvement in prostitution. It is currently unknown how poor self-concept and low self-efficacy play a mediating relationship in this association. The primary purpose of this correlational study was to evaluate early youth problem behaviors such as poor self-concept and reduced self-efficacy as possible mediators in the association between childhood abuse/neglect and participation in prostitution during young adulthood. The central research questions explored the association between childhood maltreatment and involvement in prostitution, as well as how self-concept and self-efficacy mediate the association between childhood maltreatment and engagement in prostitution in young adulthood. The Eco-developmental theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. Data consisted of 4,882 adolescents in Grades 7–12 in the United States during the 1994–1995 school year from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, 61 of whom self-reported activity in prostitution. Results from Pearson correlations and Structural Equation Models indicated a relationship between childhood maltreatment and prostitution during young adulthood; self-efficacy and self-concept did not mediate this relationship. Childhood abuse was not a significant predictor of self-efficacy and self-efficacy was not significantly related to prostitution. Childhood maltreatment was a significant, negative predictor of positive self-concept. By demonstrating that childhood maltreatment is linked to prostitution in young adulthood, this research can foster positive social change, by showing the value of creating intervention programs that target childhood abuse in order to reduce involvement in prostitution in young adulthood.
URL
http://gradworks.umi.com/10/02/10024134.htmlKeyword(s)
Social sciences Psychology Health and environmental sciences Behavior problems Child abuse Childhood maltreatment Neglect Prostitution Self-concept Social research Mental health Behavioral psychology Developmental psychology Individual & family studies
Notes
Copyright - Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works. Last updated - 2016-03-20
Reference Type
Thesis/Dissertation
Book Title
Public Policy and Administration
Author(s)
Williams, Shante
Series Author(s)
Ozymy, Joshua
Year Published
2016
Volume Number
10024134
Pages
139
Publisher
Walden University
City of Publication
Ann Arbor
ISSN/ISBN
9781339517025
DOI
9781339517025
Reference ID
9150
