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ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5356-713X
Date of Graduation
5-6-2021
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of Health Sciences
Second Advisor
Monica Reis-Bergan
Third Advisor
Tracy E. Zinn
Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to develop a measure of Transactional Sex (TS) and provide initial validity evidence for its’ use in future studies to examine this behavior as it relates to individuals’ mental, physical, and sexual health outcomes. TS is defined in the current study as engaging in a sexual relationship/sexual activity with another person with an expectation or intent to receive some form of compensation in return. Compensation can be monetary, material, opportunistic, etc. Participants (N = 269) were recruited through the university’s participant pool and email blast system. Participants completed a 40-minute online survey through Questionpro that contained the Transactional Sex Measure (TSM) as well as measures of mental health, sexual health, alcohol and drug use, and materialism. Four participants were randomly selected to win 1 of 4 $25 Amazon gift cards as compensation for completing the online survey. Construct and criterion validity were examined. Findings revealed the TSM provided good criterion validity evidence but construct validity evidence was minimal. Further studies on the conceptualization of TS and distribution of the TSM across a variety of diverse samples can provide more validity evidence.
Included in
Gender and Sexuality Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
