trauma, personality and prostitution in drugaddicted women

According to Bouman GGZ addiction is a result of genetic and biological factors
combined with life-experience (i.e. psychosocial factors and the availability
of the addicting substance). Therefore, it concerns a degree of vulnerability
combined with critical events (diathesis stress model). Studies have shown that
a relation exists between addiction and/or prostitution on one hand and trauma
in childhood on the other hand. The trauma refers to sexual abuse, experience
of violence, and leaving the parental home prematurely either by being evicted
or by running away. Studies have also indicated that street prostitutes are
more likely to become repeat victims than prostitutes not working the street.
Many studies have been conducted on Cloninger*s psychobiological theory of
personality and addiction. Cloninger hypothesized that the four temperamental
factors that are aspects of personality are probably influenced by heredity,
while the three character dimensions are a result of interactions between
temperamental factors and environmental influences. Addiction has been
repeatedly linked to the temperamental factor *Novelty seeking*.

To date there has been no specific scientific research directed towards
studying the personality characteristics of addicted prostitutes. Addicted
prostitutes are admitted in the VOCC, the admissions department of the Bouman
GGZ..

Clinical findings confirm the research results that many of these women have
trauma in their case history and indeed a common finding is that their being
repeatedly revictimized. It is plausible that the women remain in prostitution
to finance their addiction. Although they don*t have direct withdrawal symptoms
anymore and experience considerable less craving as a result of treatment,
return to the world of prostitution is a frequent phenomenon. The women reason
that they find the sheltered day-to-day life boring and that they miss the kick
of the *Red Light district*. The question is whether this craving for
excitement correlates with the more extreme personality characteristics that
make the women predisposed to be more vulnerable to becoming involved in
prostitution than their addicted companions without a history of prostitution.

Which factors contribute to addicted women becoming involved in prostitution?

- Do addicted prostitutes have higher scores on the temperamental factor
*novelty seeking* than 1) addicted women without a history of prostitution, 2)
prostitutes without a history of addiction, 3) women without history of
prostitution and addiction?

- Do addicted prostitutes have more trauma, more severe trauma, more long-term
or other kinds of trauma in their past history than 1) addicted women without a
history of prostitution, 2) prostitutes without a history of addiction, 3)
women without a history of prostitution and addiction?

It concerns a comparison study with four groups, where is hypothesized that 1>2
& 3 > 4

ADDICTION
PROSTITUTION YES NO
YES 1 n = 25 2 n = 25
+++ trauma + trauma
+++ novelty seeking + novelty seeking

NO 3 n = 25 4 n = 25
+ trauma - trauma
+ novelty seeking - novelty seeking


ANOVA shall be used to compare the group differences with regard to trauma and
the temperamental factor *novelty seeking*

Due to the content of the questionnaire and the interview the study can be
emotionally taxing. Furthermore it can be mentally burdening, due to the fact
that the target group is not used to having to concentrate for an extended
period of time. For this reason the choice is made to use the V-TCI, which is
half the length of the TCI. Aftercare is provided when required. There are no
risks connected to the research.