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Stigma in a Collectivistic Culture: Social Network of Female Sex Workers in China
- Source :
- AIDS and behavior. 26(2)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- In this egocentric network study, we explored Chinese collectivism in relation to social network characteristics and sex work-related stigma among mid-age female sex workers (FSWs). Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit 1245 mid-age FSWs from three cities in China. We found that a one standard deviation (SD) increase in FSWs' collectivism was associated with a 0.18 SD decrease in social support (95% CI - 0.32, - 0.04), a 0.20 SD decrease in network effective size (i.e., the diversity of a social network; 95% CI - 0.30, - 0.10), and a 0.21 SD decrease in network betweenness (i.e., the "bridging potential" of egos within their networks; 95% CI - 0.33, - 0.09). Among participants who perceived more sex work stigma, the association between collectivism and FSWs' network betweenness was attenuated. In a collective culture emphasizing group values and honor, belonging to a less interconnected social network may give FSWs a structural advantage to cope with stigma and secure social support.
- Subjects :
- China
Sex Workers
Social Stigma
Humans
Female
HIV Infections
Sex Work
Social Networking
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15733254
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- AIDS and behavior
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid..........6be36097c77ebff252ae3e69b113feab