Students Who Provide Sexual Acts or Materials for Financial Compensation Before and During University: A Latent Class...

To (1) estimate the proportion of university students who report providing sexual in-person and virtual services, acts, or materials for pay or financial compensation (SSAMP) before and/or during university; and (2) describe the typologies and correlates of SSAMP consequences.

A cross-sectional survey was administered at a Midwestern public university that included the SSAMP index. Participants were 900 undergraduate and graduate students. Students who provided SSAMP follow-up items were included for Latent Class Analysis using 21 indicator variables reflecting five financial, 10 health, and six social consequences. Class comparisons were conducted on social and economic minoritization, frequency of and reasons for SSAMP.

Almost 16% (n = 143) reported providing SSAMP in their lifetime, 14.2% (n = 128) while at university and 13.1% (n = 118) before university. Those who provided SSAMP as minors were more likely to report providing SSAMP to please someone, whereas those who first provided SSAMP as adults were more likely to report providing SSAMP to pay current expenses. A two-class model was the best fit for the data and revealed that the "more consequences" group was distinguished from the "fewer consequences" group on nearly all reported consequences. Those with "more consequences" were more likely to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, disabled, and to report (1) more frequent SSAMP, (2) financial motivations, (3) being pressured to provide SSAMP, and (4) providing SSAMP to please others.

Most students who provide SSAMP do so before and during university; they are a diverse group. Harm reducing practices and policies may be crucial to reduce negative consequences.