RESUMO
The aim of the present study was to assess the rate of personality disorders and coping strategies in female sex-workers. In this observational cross-sectional study 30 female sex-workers who were selected using convenience sampling, completed the Structured Clinical Interview DSM-IV axis H disorders [SCID-II] and Billings Coping Style Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed a prevalence of 90% for personality disorders, with passive-aggressive personality disorder having the highest prevalence of 53.3%. Also, schizotypal personality disorder was not present in subjects. Among coping strategies, emotion-focused coping [56.7%] and somatization-focused coping [23.3%] were the most prevalent. Considering the high prevalence of personality disorder among female sex-workers and their high use of emotion-focused coping in confronting life events, training this group with coping and problem solving skills is recommended