Exploring the Impact of an Occupational Therapy Program for Former Sex Workers: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Abstract

This mixed-methods pilot study explored the impact of the Coping for Living a Healthy Life (CLHL) program, an occupational therapy intervention focused on teaching coping skills to former sex workers. Two former sex workers between the ages of 18-41 participated in an online six-session CLHL program. Participants completed six questionnaires and two interviews regarding occupational competence, balance, and coping skills before and after CLHL. Results indicated progression toward increased occupational balance and a sense of competence through engaging in healing by utilizing healthy coping skills. Further investigation on the effectiveness of coping skills programs for former sex workers appears warranted.

Keywords:

• Occupational competence
• occupational balance
• occupational therapy
• coping skills
• sex workers

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Lida Gharibvand for her assistance with data analysis. We express our appreciation to the occupational therapy department at Loma Linda University for their support in this research study. We would also like to acknowledge the California Foundation for Occupational Therapy for funding this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests to declare.