Abstract
ABSTRACTPurpose: To explore whether sexual harassment experiences are more common among adolescents reporting romantic and erotic interests in the same sex and both sexes, when sociodemographic and mental health confounding are controlled for, and whether the associations are similar in both sexes and in different phases of adolescence.Methods: A cross-sectional survey among a nationally representative dataset of 25,147 boys and 25,257 girls in comprehensive school, and 33,231 boys and 36,765 girls in upper secondary education. Self-reports of experiences of sexual harassment, and emotional (depression) and behavioral (delinquency) symptoms were used.Results: All associations between sexual minority status and harassment diminished clearly when mental disorder dimensions were controlled for. In the comprehensive school sample (mean age 15.4 years), sexual harassment experiences were 4–7-fold more common among boys, and 1.5–3-fold among girls, with same-sex/both-sexes interest, compared to those interested exclusively in the opposite sex. In the upper secondary education sample (mean age 17.4 years), among boys, sexual harassment was reported 3–6-fold more commonly by those not exclusively heterosexually interested. Among older girls, a slight increase in sexual harassment experiences was seen among those interested in both sexes.Conclusions: Sexual harassment experiences are associated with sexual minority status, particularly among boys. Confounding by mental disorders needs to be accounted for when studying sexual minority status and sexual harassment.
Highlights
The legal definition of sexual harassment is gender-based discrimination which creates a hostile work/school environment and may seriously impair the victim’s performance at work or ability to participate in and benefit from education
Romantic/erotic interests and experiences of sexual harassment (Hypothesis 1). The proportion of those reporting recurring sexual harassment experiences varied from 1.4% to 4.1% (Table 2)
In the comprehensive school sample among both sexes, all types of sexual harassment experiences were more common among those reporting interest in the same sex or both sexes than among those exclusively heterosexually interested, those unsure if they had been in love with or had a crush on someone or those who had not been in love, with greater differences between groups among boys
Summary
The legal definition of sexual harassment is gender-based discrimination which creates a hostile work/school environment and may seriously impair the victim’s performance at work or ability to participate in and benefit from education 2007; Pina, Gannon, & Saunders, 2009). Sexual harassment can be divided into gender harassment, unwelcome sexual attention and sexual coercion (Buchanan, Bluestein, Nappa, Woods, & Depatie, 2013; Fitzgerald, Gelfand, & Drasgow, 1995). Gender harassment entails verbal and non-verbal gender–based hostile/derogatory communication or gender related name-calling. Unwelcome sexual attention includes any sexual behavior, propositions, invitations etc. Which are distasteful and unwelcome to the target and perceived as offensive. Sexual coercion includes actual sexual assault and any behavior attempting to extort sexual compliance by means of promises/benefits or threats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
