Study finds significant associations between sex work and muscle dysmorphia

Using data from over 900 participants in a big, diverse, and national sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, a brand new study published within the journal Sexual Health researchers found significant associations between sex work and muscle dysmorphia.

Sex work, in its various forms, is extremely stigmatized in Canadian society, and sex employees are sometimes victims of harmful stereotypes. It’s estimated that roughly 4% of Canadian adolescents engage in selling sex, and research has shown that those involved in sex work are more in danger to experience substance use problems, poor mental health, and physical injury. Nevertheless, no known research has previously focused on the association between sex work and muscle dysmorphia.

The association between sex work involvement and muscle dysmorphia symptoms is probably going complex and explained by multiple mechanisms. For instance, engagement within the pursuit of muscularity via compulsive exercise could also be a coping mechanism to administer the psychological distress and stigma related to sex work.”

Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, MSW, lead creator, assistant professor on the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

The authors also speculate that individuals involved in sex work may pursue a more muscular, lean, and robust body to stick to socially desirable and attractive body ideals.

The authors conclude that, while these findings detailing the connection between lifetime sex work involvement and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia are novel, further research is required especially with regard to the evolving nature of sex work utilizing digital and online venues.

“These findings extend prior research that has described poor mental health, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder amongst individuals involved in sex work,” says Ganson. “Clinical and community health professionals must be alerted to those findings and consider screening for each sex work and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology amongst young people.”