Canadian Journal of Public Health
Volume 110, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 344-353

Impacts of im/migration experience on work stress among sex workers in Vancouver, Canada (Article)

Sou J. , Shannon K. , Shoveller J. , Duff P. , Braschel M. , Dobrer S. , Goldenberg S.M.*
  • a Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
  • b Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • c School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
  • d Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • e Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • f Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • g Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the precarious and unsafe working conditions frequently experienced by sex workers (SWs) and im/migrant workers, there remains a paucity of research on work-related stress and links to duration of im/migration residency among SWs. This study analyzes the relationship between duration of residency and two dimensions of work stress among SWs in Metro Vancouver. Methods: Data were drawn from a longitudinal cohort of women SWs across Metro Vancouver (2010–2014). Multivariable confounder models with generalized estimating equations were developed to examine the independent effects of duration of residency on decision authority and job demands, after adjusting for confounders. Results: Of 545 SWs, 9.7% were recent im/migrants, 13.9% were long-term im/migrants, and 76.2% were non-migrants. In comparison to non-migrant SWs, recent (β coefficient − 1.02, 95% CI − 1.57 to − 0.47) and long-term im/migrants (β coefficient − 0.87, 95% CI − 1.36 to −0.38) faced decreased work stress related to job demands after adjustment for key confounders. Decision authority did not retain a significant independent association after adjusting for the same factors. Conclusion: Job demands varied significantly by duration of residency. This may be explained by changing working conditions and experiences over the course of arrival and settlement among im/migrant SWs, as well as the role of formal work environments in supporting im/migrant SWs’ well-being. Given high rates of work stress related to job demands and low decision authority among all SWs, decriminalization of sex work, improved occupational standards, and culturally sensitive interventions to promote collectivization and improved access to working conditions remain needed. © 2018, The Canadian Public Health Association.

Author Keywords

Sex work Emigration and immigration occupational health Occupational stress

Index Keywords

controlled study Canada female cohort analysis adult occupational health work environment sex worker Article human wellbeing job stress migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066823095&doi=10.17269%2fs41997-018-0161-3&partnerID=40&md5=33f2b96deae173355c5dbfec9bbad1db
DOI: 10.17269/s41997-018-0161-3
ISSN: 00084263
Original Language: English