Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
Volume 24, Issue 8, 2015, Pages 932-954

Predicting prosocial behavior toward sex-trafficked persons: The roles of empathy, belief in a just world, and attitudes toward prostitution (Article)

Silver K.E.* , Karakurt G. , Boysen S.T.
  • a Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
  • b Department of Community Medicine and Family Health, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
  • c Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States

Abstract

Human trafficking has been identified as a global human rights violation. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of prosocial behaviors toward sex-trafficked persons. Participants were 223 undergraduates randomly assigned to read a vignette and answer follow-up questions along with measures of empathy, just world belief, attitudes toward prostitution, and proactive behavior. Empathy was highest for trafficked women, regardless of citizenship status. Trafficked foreign women received the highest empathy, and U.S. prostitutes received the least. Path analysis results indicate just world belief, beliefs about prostitutes, and family values relating to prostitution had direct effects on empathic concern; in turn, empathic concern had a direct effect on proactive behavior. Explanations for the results are discussed, along with educational and clinical implications. © 2015 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Sex work sex trafficking empathy belief in a just world proactive behavior Prostitution Human trafficking

Index Keywords

Empathy male social belief female follow up vignette questionnaire prostitution human trafficking Article citizenship predictor variable path analysis human adult social behavior attitude
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84942259344&doi=10.1080%2f10926771.2015.1070231&partnerID=40&md5=f13d446d11dbe3d63b4a18469b40e189
DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2015.1070231
ISSN: 10926771
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English