Sex Workers, Stigma, and Self-Image: Evidence from Kolkata Brothels

This paper studies the link between self-image and behavior among those who face stigma due to poverty and social exclusion. Using a randomized field experiment with sex workers in Kolkata (India), we examine whether a psychological intervention to mitigate adverse effects of internalized stigma can...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The review of economics and statistics 2022-05, Vol.104 (3), p.431-448
Main Authors: Ghosal, Sayantan, Jana, Smarajit, Mani, Anandi, Mitra, Sandip, Roy, Sanchari
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior change
Brothels
Health behavior
Internalization
Marginality
Poverty
Preventive medicine
Psychological intervention
Savings
Selfimage
Sex workers
Side effects
Social exclusion
Stigma
Workers
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Summary:This paper studies the link between self-image and behavior among those who face stigma due to poverty and social exclusion. Using a randomized field experiment with sex workers in Kolkata (India), we examine whether a psychological intervention to mitigate adverse effects of internalized stigma can induce behavior change. We find significant improvements in participants' self-image, their savings choices, and health clinic visits. Administrative data confirm that these changes in savings and preventive health behavior persist 15 and 21 months later, respectively. Our findings highlight the potential of purely psychological interventions to improve the life choices and outcomes of marginalized groups.
ISSN:0034-6535
1530-9142
DOI:10.1162/rest_a_01013