Prevalence of Sexual Acts and Materials Provided for Financial Compensation Among Young Adults in the United States

Providing in-person (e.g., sex) and virtual (e.g., photos) sexual acts for pay or financial compensation (SAMP) is underreported due to stigma and substantial measurement issues. Prior research using a single item may have underestimated the prevalence and associated characteristics. This study sought to determine lifetime SAMP prevalence and associated characteristics of SAMP in a nationally representative sample in young adults (18–34 years old) in the United States. We administered a cross-sectional web-based survey through the National Opinion Research Council (N = 2,935). We used the validated, behaviorally specific, 10-item SAMP index to assess prevalence and circumstances, standardized measures of health and childhood experiences, and demographics. Over one-third (36%) of participants reported providing SAMP. Of those, 22% first provided SAMP as minors and 65.5% reported coercion. Prevalence differed by gender, sexuality, race, education, employment, income, and parenthood. Participants who provided SAMP had higher odds of depression, PTSD, problematic substance use, rape victimization, childhood adversity, discrimination, and lower social support. Findings suggest that SAMP is more common than previously assumed. Significant differences among those reporting SAMP underscore the need for harm reducing public health approaches to address health disparities, systemic social issues, diverse experiences, and SAMP’s spectrum of agency and victimization.