There Are Differences in the Mental Health of Single Camgirls Compared to Those in a Romantic Relationship

Mendes, V

sexuality; mental health; sex work

Camming, or webcamming, involves performing erotic scenes or live online sex shows, predominantly by women. These workers often branch out into other sensual services, such as selling photo packs and other pornographic content. Many choose this line of work for its flexible hours and financial benefits, along with the perceived safety compared to traditional forms of prostitution. However, camgirls face unique challenges, including risks in the digital sphere—such as "capping" (unauthorized recording of erotic scenes) and "doxxing" (online harassment involving information leakage)—and personal issues like stigma, susceptibility to mental health issues, and relationship difficulties. This study aimed to examine the relationship between mental health and romantic relationships among camgirls in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It involved 123 Brazilian camgirls aged 18 to 29 (M= 24.1, SD= 2.7), all of whom had been in the industry for at least two months. Participants included single, dating, and married individuals. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). A One-Way ANOVA analysis found no significant differences in mental health symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression) based on relationship status, with p-values above 0.05 across groups. The sample primarily consisted of white women (74%), bisexual individuals (63.4%), and those with incomplete or ongoing higher education (46.3%). Average scores indicated moderate to severe mental health symptoms: mean stress (22.1), anxiety (15.9), and depression (20.4), with high prevalence of severe or extremely severe symptoms, particularly in anxiety and depression. These findings underscore the vulnerability of camming workers to mental health issues. However, romantic relationships did not significantly impact levels of stress, anxiety, or depression, suggesting that being in a relationship neither mitigates nor exacerbates mental health challenges faced by camgirls.

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