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Validation of Lund University Sexual Harassment Inventory (LUSHI)—A Proposed Instrument for Assessing Sexual Harassment among University Employees and Students

Author

Listed:
  • Per-Olof Östergren

    (Division of Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Catarina Canivet

    (Division of Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

  • Gisela Priebe

    (Department of Social and Psychological Studies, Karlstad University, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden)

  • Anette Agardh

    (Division of Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the validity and reliability of a new instrument assessing sexual harassment at a public university in Sweden. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions resulted in a 10-item instrument, the ‘Lund University Sexual Harassment Inventory’ (LUSHI). A survey was sent to all staff, including PhD students, and students, with a response rate of 33% ( n = 2736) and 32% ( n = 9667), respectively. Exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha statistics were applied. Having experienced one or more of 10 specific behaviors was defined as sexual harassment exposure and was reported by 17.1% of staff/PhD students and 21.1% of students. Exploratory factor analysis yielded two factors with Eigenvalues above 1, labeled ‘unwanted sexual attention of soliciting type’ and ‘unwanted sexual attention of non-soliciting type’. Rape/attempted rape fell outside of the two factors. The Cronbach’s alpha values of the original 10-item scale and of the two newly formed scales were 0.80, 0.80, and 0.66, respectively. The mentioned statistics were markedly similar among men, women, and non-binary individuals and between staff/PhD students and students. We conclude that the 10-item instrument could be used for assessing sexual harassment in university settings or any type of workplace.

Suggested Citation

  • Per-Olof Östergren & Catarina Canivet & Gisela Priebe & Anette Agardh, 2022. "Validation of Lund University Sexual Harassment Inventory (LUSHI)—A Proposed Instrument for Assessing Sexual Harassment among University Employees and Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:17085-:d:1008269
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathryn B. H. Clancy & Lilia M. Cortina & Anna R. Kirkland, 2020. "Opinion: Use science to stop sexual harassment in higher education," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(37), pages 22614-22618, September.
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