Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify and determine coping styles, locus of control, and irrational beliefs in prostitutes in comparison with normal women.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, 60 subjects (30 prostitutes and 30 normal women) participated by filling out Rotter's Locus of Control Scale, Moos and Biling's Coping Style Questionnaire, and Johnn's Irrational Beliefs Questionnaire. Prostitutes were selected based on convenient sampling and normal women were selected from vocational school students. Both groups were matched by age and edu- cational level. Collected data were analyzed using t-test and c² test.

Results: The results showed no significant correlation between locus of control and delinquency. Coping styles focused on problem solving and rational beliefs were similar in both groups. However, prostitutes relied on emotional coping style in stressful situations more frequently than non-delinquent women did (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Prostitutes rely on emotional manipulations and emotional coping style more than non-delinquent women when encountering life difficulties.  They feel more helplessness and show higher levels of worry with anxiety in response to changes.