Perceived Social Support and Psychological Well-Being among Victims of Sex Trafficking

Victims of sex trafficking face profound psychological challenges, making social support a critical factor in their recovery and well-being. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support and psychological well-being, and to assess differences based on living arrangements among victims of sex trafficking. A total of 42 victims were selected through convenience sampling from ARZ (Anya Rahit Zindagi) social work organization Vasco, Goa, India. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). Karl Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and Independent Samples t-test were used for data analysis. Results revealed positive correlations between perceived social support and multiple dimensions of psychological well-being particularly highlighting the roles of family and friends in enhancing self-acceptance (r = 0.549, p < 0.01), personal growth (r = 0.393, p < 0.05), and positive relations (family: r = 0.416, p < 0.01; friends: r = 0.367, p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found based on living arrangements: victims living with family reported higher overall perceived social support (t = 4.208, p < 0.01), while those living alone scored higher on personal growth (t = 2.629, p < 0.01), purpose in life (t = 2.601, p < 0.01), and self-acceptance (t = 1.981, p < 0.05). These findings emphasize the complex influence of social support and living conditions on the psychological health of trafficking survivors and offer valuable insights for counselors and mental health practitioners designing supportive interventions.