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Systematic Review of Policies and Interventions to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Order to Prevent Depression

Author

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  • Francisco Diez-Canseco

    (CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15074, Peru)

  • Mauricio Toyama

    (CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15074, Peru)

  • Liliana Hidalgo-Padilla

    (CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15074, Peru)

  • Victoria J. Bird

    (Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London E13 8SP, UK)

Abstract

Background: Sexual harassment in the workplace (SHWP) is highly prevalent and has a negative impact, including depression, on its victims, as well as a negative economic impact resulting from absenteeism and low productivity at work. This paper aims to outline the available evidence regarding the prevention of depressive symptoms among workers through policies and interventions that are effective in preventing SHWP. Methods: We conducted two systematic reviews. The first focused on the association of depression and SHWP, and the second on policies and interventions to prevent SHWP. We conducted a meta-analysis and a narrative synthesis, respectively. We identified 1831 and 6107 articles for the first and second review. After screening, 24 and 16 articles were included, respectively. Results: Meta-analysis results show a prevalence of depression of 26%, as well as a 2.69 increased risk of depression among workers who experience SHWP. Variables such as number of harassment experiences and exposure to harassment from coworkers and other people increase this risk. Conclusions: There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of policies and training to prevent SHWP, mostly focused on improvements in workers’ knowledge and attitudes about SHWP. However, there is no available evidence regarding its potential impact on preventing depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Diez-Canseco & Mauricio Toyama & Liliana Hidalgo-Padilla & Victoria J. Bird, 2022. "Systematic Review of Policies and Interventions to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Order to Prevent Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13278-:d:942674
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heather Antecol & Deborah Cobb‐clark, 2003. "Does Sexual Harassment Training Change Attitudes? A View from the Federal Level," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(4), pages 826-842, December.
    2. World Bank, 2019. "Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," World Bank Publications - Reports 32817, The World Bank Group.
    3. Frank Dobbin & Alexandra Kalev, 2019. "The promise and peril of sexual harassment programs," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 116(25), pages 12255-12260, June.
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