Impact of Sexual Harassment Victimization by Peers on Subsequent Adolescent Victimization and Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.01.006

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 45, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 246-252

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.01.006 Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

To examine gender differences in prevalence and types of sexual harassment victimization experienced in grade 9 and how it contributes to relationship victimization and psychological adjustment 2.5 years later.

Methods

A total of 1734 students from 23 schools completed self-report surveys at entry to grade 9 and end of grade 11. Self-report data were collected on victimization experiences (sexual harassment, physical dating violence, peer violence, and relational victimization) and adjustment (emotional distress, problem substance use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, maladaptive dieting, feeling unsafe at school, and perpetration of violent delinquency). Separate analyses by sex were prespecified.

Results

Sexual harassment victimization was common among boys (42.4%) and girls (44.1%) in grade 9, with girls reporting more sexual jokes, comments, and unwanted touch than among boys, and with boys reporting more homosexual slurs or receiving unwanted sexual content. For girls, sexual harassment victimization in grade 9 was associated with elevated risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, maladaptive dieting, early dating, substance use, and feeling unsafe at school. A similar pattern of risk was found for boys, with the exception of dieting and self-harm behaviors. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) indicated these students were significantly more likely than nonharassed students to report victimization by peers and dating partners 2.5 years later (AOR for boys and girls, respectively; all p < .01), including sexual harassment (AOR: 2.45; 2.9), physical dating violence (AOR: 2.02; 3.73), and physical peer violence (AOR: 2.75; 2.79). Gr 9 sexual harassment also contributed significantly to emotional distress (AOR: 2.09; 2.24), problem substance use (AOR: 1.79; 2.04), and violent delinquency perpetration (AOR: 2.1; 3.34) 2.5 years later (boys and girls, respectively; all p < .01).

Conclusions

Sexual harassment at the beginning of high school is a strong predictor of future victimization by peers and dating partners for both girls and boys, and warrants greater prevention and intervention efforts.

Section snippets

Study participants and design

Students (N = 1897) from 23 high schools participated in this study, which was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University of Western Ontario. Data were collected as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a school-based intervention program to reduce adolescent dating violence and related risk behaviors. Sexual harassment victimization was assessed at the beginning of grade 9 and again 2.5 years later at the end of grade

Results

The parent consent–youth assent rate was 75%, with a combined return rate (yes or no) of 82%. Longitudinal analyses included only students who provided data at both waves (1734/1897; retention rate 92%; 51% female). Of the 334 students who had changed schools at T2, 186 were located and completed the on-line survey at their new school. The remaining students lost to follow-up refused to participate (n = 29) or could not be located (n = 119). The subsample of students lost to follow-up did not

Discussion

Sexual harassment victimization is prevalent among youth entering high school, occurring at equivalent rates for girls (44%) and boys (43%) in the present study. However, the nature of sexual harassment victimization differed for boys and girls, with girls experiencing more unwanted comments, gestures, and touch, and boys experienced more homosexual slurs and being shown or given unwanted sexual pictures, photos, messages, or notes. At the same time, the overlap across items should not be

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). We recognize RBC Financial Group for their support of the Chair in Children's Mental Health (D. Wolfe), and the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation for their generous support for violence prevention efforts with adolescents.

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Original articleImpact of Sexual Harassment Victimization by Peers on Subsequent Adolescent Victimization and Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Study participants and design

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Peer to peer sexual harassment in early adolescence: A developmental perspective

Devel Psychopathol

The impact of bullying and sexual harassment on middle and high school girls

Viol Against Women

Gender differences in experiences of sexual harassment: Data from a male-dominated environment

J Consult Clin Psychol

Gender, pubertal development, and peer sexual harassment predict objectified body consciousness in early adolescence

J Res Adolesc

A more accurate approach to measuring the prevalence of sexual harassment among high school students

Can J Behav Sci

Risk factors of sexual harassment by peers: A longitudinal investigation of African American and European American adolescents

J Res Adolesc

A general theory of crime

The social development model: An integrated approach to delinquency prevention

J Prim Prev

Personal and interpersonal antecedents and consequences of victimization by peers

J Pers Soc Psychol

Multiple contextual levels of risk for peer victimization: A review with implications for prevention and intervention efforts

Original article
Impact of Sexual Harassment Victimization by Peers on Subsequent Adolescent Victimization and Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study