2 research outputs found
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Sexual Harassment Among Medical Students: Prevalence, Prediction, and Correlated Outcomes
Background: Few studies are dedicated to
understanding the extent and impact of sexual harassment
among medical students. The aim of this study was to use
behaviorally specific measures to examine prevalence of
sexual harassment toward medical students. Associated
mental health and academic impacts were also studied.
Methods: A multisite survey was conducted at four medical
schools. Sexual harassment was measured using the Sexual
Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ), a valid and reliable
instrument. Students were also surveyed about depressive
and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and
their level of academic engagement. We also assessed their
perceptions of institutional response and whether they felt
safe at their institution. Findings: The final sample included
524 medical students (response rate = 13%). Findings
revealed that 36.6% reported sexual harassment by a faculty/
staff member and 38.5% reported harassment by a fellow
student. The odds of harassment by faculty/staff, as well as
peers, were significantly higher for women with an
adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 9.83, 95% confidence interval
(CI) = [3.74, 25.80] and multiracial students with an
AOR: 2.93, 95% CI: [1.16, 7.39]. Those who experienced
sexual harassment were more likely to report academic
disengagement and symptoms of depression and PTSD.
Conclusion/Application to Practice: Sexual harassment in
medical schools can potentially limit a student’s academic
success and negatively impact their mental health. Supportive
services and efforts to address peer and professional
cultures that promote harassment are needed. Experiences
of harassment require swift and competent responses by
medical school leadership in collaboration with occupational
and/or student health services to mitigate detrimental impacts
and support medical students throughout their training.Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA
Recommended from our members
Gender and Sexual Minority College Students: The Risk and Extent of Victimization and Related Health and Educational Outcomes
A multisite survey conducted at eight campuses of a southwestern university system provides the data for the present study, total N = 17,039 with 1,869 gender and sexual minority (GSM) students. Sexual violence was measured using the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES), and analysis included both the participant’s risk of experiencing sexual violence and the extent (or total count) of sexual violence experienced. This study poses the following research questions: What effects do gender identity and sexual orientation have on the risk and extent of sexual violence among students and, among victims, what is the relationship between gender identity/sexual orientation and mental health (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression) and academic environment (disengagement and safety) outcomes for university students? Multilevel, random effect hurdle models captured this sequential victimization dynamic. GSM and cisgender heterosexual (CH) female students are predicted to be 2.6 and 3 times, respectively, as likely to experience sexual violence compared with CH male students. In addition, GSM students experiencing sexual violence are also expected to experience a greater number of sexually violent acts (74% more) over their college career compared with victimized CH male students. The models confirm that the risk of victimization increases over time (13% per year for CH male students), but GSM students are expected to experience an additional (10%) increase in risk of victimization per year compared with CH male students. GSM and CH female students are also predicted to be more likely to have PTSD and experience more severe depression symptoms than CH male students. GSM students are expected to experience significantly higher rates of PTSD, worse depressive symptoms, and greater disengagement than CH female students. The discussion explores how institutions of higher education might recognize the resilience of GSM students and consider the protective potential of social and community support when developing programs or interventions for diverse populations.IC2 Institut