Sexual harassment--a touchy subject for nurses.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Sexual harassment (SH) remains a significant issue within the nursing profession.
• Understanding the prevalence and contributing environmental factors is crucial for improving nurse well-being and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the prevalence of sexual harassment (SH) in nursing.
• To identify environmental factors contributing to SH incidents among nurses.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method research approach was employed.
• Data were collected from 538 nurses via questionnaires across eight Australian hospitals.
• 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to supplement quantitative findings.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of SH reported: 60% of female nurses and 34% of male nurses experienced SH in the prior two years.
• Patients identified as most frequent perpetrators in surveys, while physicians were named in interviews.
• Structural equation modeling indicated leadership behaviors, skewed gender ratios, and lack of socialization are associated with increased SH.

Conclusions:

• A new theoretical framework was introduced to explain contextual factors increasing nurses' risk of harassment.
• Findings assist health professionals in developing proactive strategies to manage SH and foster a safer work environment.
• The study highlights the prevalence and causes of SH in nursing, informing health managers' intervention strategies.