Sexual harassment exposure among junior high school students in Norway

Prevalence and associated factors

Bibliographic Data

ID22074467
AuthorsTore Bonsaksen (0000-0001-6315-1111, VID Specialized University, corresponding author), Anne Mari Steigen (0000-0001-9752-6153, University of Inland Norway), Marie Dahlen Granrud (0000-0002-9105-2791, University of Inland Norway), Cecilie Dangmann (0000-0001-8198-466X, University of Inland Norway), Cecilie Ruud Dangmann, Tonje Holte Stea (0000-0002-3349-6706, University of Agder)
Year2024
Volume12
Pages1307605-1307605
Publication date2024-01-18
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1307605
PMID38304183
OpenAlexW4390981857
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited47

Background Sexual harassment is common in most countries and cultures. Less is known about sexual harassment, its risk factors, and psychosocial outcomes among young adolescents. The aim of the study was to examine the 12-month prevalence of sexual harassment exposure, and sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with exposure among junior high school students in Norway. Methods A comprehensive cross-sectional study was completed by 83,297 Norwegian adolescents in junior high school in 2021. Data on exposure to sexual harassment were used in combination with sociodemographic measures and psychosocial outcomes: depressive symptoms, loneliness, self-esteem, and well-being. Group differences were analyzed with Chi Square tests, and sociodemographic risk factors were analyzed with logistic regression. Psychosocial outcomes were assessed with multivariate and univariate ANOVAs, and dose–response relationships were assessed with linear regression. Results Among the adolescents, 32.6% had experienced sexual harassment during the past year. Girls had higher odds of exposure (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.84–1.96), whereas adolescents whose parents had higher education had lower odds (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90–0.99). Exposure was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (partial η 2 [ES] = 0.11) and loneliness (ES = 0.07), and with lower self-esteem (ES = 0.06) and well-being (ES = 0.06). Among exposed adolescents, more frequent exposure was associated with poorer outcomes. Conclusion Exposure to sexual harassment affects one third of junior high school students in Norway. Those who are exposed have poorer psychosocial outcomes, and there is a dose–response relationship between exposure and outcomes. Awareness of sexual harassment among young adolescents, and interventions to prevent and reduce it, are needed

Harassment · Logistic regression · Loneliness · Norwegian · Odds · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Medicine · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Internal Medicine

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