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The effects of non-physical peer sexual harassment on high school students’ psychological well-being in Norway: consistent and stable findings across studies

Author

Listed:
  • Mons Bendixen

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Josef Daveronis

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Objectives The paper examines how strongly non-physical peer sexual harassment is associated with a wide range of well-being outcomes from symptoms of depression and anxiety to self-esteem and body image. Methods Two large community samples of high school students were analyzed (n = 1384 and n = 1485). Students responded to questionnaires on being subject to non-physical sexual harassment, sexual coercion and forced intercourse, and to well-being indicators ranging from anxiety, depression, self-esteem, body image. Results Regression analyses suggest that being harassed by peers in a non-physical way was moderately associated with lower levels of well-being over and above the effect of other risk factors. This effect was present for all indicators of well-being. The effect of peer harassment on depressive symptoms was moderated by sex (affected women more) but not by sexual or ethnic minority status. Conclusions The findings imply that although sticks and stones may break bones, it does seem that derogatory words and other forms of non-physical sexual harassment definitely harm high school students.

Suggested Citation

  • Mons Bendixen & Josef Daveronis & Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, 2018. "The effects of non-physical peer sexual harassment on high school students’ psychological well-being in Norway: consistent and stable findings across studies," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(1), pages 3-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:63:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s00038-017-1049-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-1049-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Evelina Landstedt & Katja Gillander Gådin, 2011. "Experiences of violence among adolescents: gender patterns in types, perpetrators and associated psychological distress," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 56(4), pages 419-427, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Selene García-Pérez & Guadalupe Pastor-Moreno & Isabel Ruiz-Pérez & Jesús Henares-Montiel, 2023. "Relationship between Sexual Violence and the Health of Spanish Women—A National Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Farida Anwar & Karin Osterman & Kaj Bjorkqvist, 2020. "Risk Factors for Sexual Harassment in Public Places," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 8(1), pages 329-343, June.
    3. Aina M. Gassó & Katrin Mueller-Johnson & Irene Montiel, 2020. "Sexting, Online Sexual Victimization, and Psychopathology Correlates by Sex: Depression, Anxiety, and Global Psychopathology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-18, February.

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