Transactional sex among youth in Oslo: Prevalence, associated characteristics and vulnerabilities.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this master thesis was to investigate the prevalence of experience with transactional among a representative sample of youth and the association with sexual abuse, substance abuse, perceived mental health problems and socioeconomic status.

Theoretical framework: This study utilized the following theoretical concepts: developmental psychopathology, the traumagenic dynamics model, the general strain theory and resilience theory.

Method: Quantitative analysis were employed to investigate the research questions. The current study used data material from the cross-sectional survey Young in Oslo 2018. The analytical sample consisted of 8914 participants (response rate of 65%) from senior high school students in Oslo.

Findings: Of the participating adolescents, 3,4% (3% girls and 3,8% boys) had exchanged sexual favors for money, drugs or other reimbursements. Transactional sex was associated with sexual abuse and substance abuse, and these associations tend to be stronger among adolescents with low socioeconomic status.

Conclusion: Transactional sex is a marginal phenomenon among adolescents in Oslo. However, the phenomenon is strongly associated with other activities of concern such as substance abuse and sexual abuse, and certain vulnerable groups are more likely to engage in the activity and be engaged in other problems and problem behaviors.