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Middle school sexual harassment, violence and social networks
Elizabeth A Mumford1, Janet Okamoto, Bruce G Taylor
1NORC, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. mumford-elizabeth@norc.org
Objectives:
To pilot a study of social networks informing contextual analyses of sexual harassment and peer violence (SH/PV).
Methods:
Seventh and 8th grade students (N = 113) in an urban middle school were surveyed via a Web-based instrument.
Results:
Boys and girls reported SH/PV victimization and perpetration at comparable rates. The proportion of nominated friends who reported SH/ PV outcomes was greater in boys' than in girls' social networks. Structural descriptors of social networks were not significant predictors of SH/PV outcomes.
Conclusions:
Collection of sensitive relationship data via a school-based Web survey is feasible. Full-scale studies and greater flexibility regarding the number of friendship nominations are recommended for subsequent investigations of potential sex differences.
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