Kontakt X:X | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2026.049

Psychological well-being among women engaged in sex work: a comparison between Slovakia and the Czech Republic and selected associationsSocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Filip Gerec ORCID...1, *, Angela Almašiová ORCID...2, Jana Vallová ORCID...1, Monika Kochlöflová ORCID...3
1 St. Elizabeth University of Health and Social Work in Bratislava, Institute of Social Work and Nursing of MUDr. Pavol Blaha, Skalica, Slovak Republic
2 Catholic University in Ružomberok, Faculty of Education, Department of Social Work, Ružomberok, Slovak Republic
3 ROZKOŠ bez RIZIKA, z. s., Counselling Centre České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Introduction: This research is based on Ryff's model of psychological well-being and on the concepts of stigma and structural stigma. Psychological well-being is understood as a multidimensional indicator of positive psychological functioning, the level of which may also be influenced by the social and institutional context.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to analyse the level of psychological well-being among women engaged in sex work, comparing Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and to examine how this relates to age, education, length of engagement in sex work, and drug use.

Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, and comparative study. The sample comprised 102 female respondents, of whom 52 were from Slovakia and 50 from the Czech Republic. Psychological well-being was assessed using the 18-item version of Ryff's standardised questionnaire. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, employing descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

Results: Statistically significant differences in psychological well-being were found according to country of engagement in sex work and self-reported drug use. Respondents engaged in sex work in the Czech Republic had higher levels of psychological well-being, whereas respondents who reported drug use had lower levels. Age, education, and length of engagement in sex work were not statistically significantly associated with psychological well-being.

Conclusion: The results highlight the need for further research into factors relating to the psychological well-being of women engaged in sex work and, in line with the available literature, underscore the importance of low-threshold, non-judgemental, and integrated services that combine psychosocial assistance and support.

Keywords: Cross-national comparison; Low-threshold service; Psychological well-being; Self-reported drug use; Sex work; Structural stigma
Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: May 11, 2026; Revised: July 7, 2026; Accepted: August 5, 2026; Prepublished online: August 14, 2026 

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