Affiliation:
1. Division of Social Medicine and Global Health, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Sexual harassment (SH) has been highlighted as an important determinant for mental health. The aims of this study were to describe SH in terms of cumulative 1-year incidence, exposed groups, types of perpetrators and settings, and to measure the association between SH and poor mental well-being.
Methods
Data from two waves of the Scania Public Health Cohort Study, comprising 7759 randomly recruited individuals above 18 years. Exposure to SH was measured by an instrument that also recorded place of exposure and type of perpetrator. Poor mental well-being was assessed by General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) (mental health module) and self-reported use of prescribed psychotropic medication. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses.
Results
The cumulative 1-year incidence of SH was six times greater among women, the highest figure (17.5%) was noted for women 18–34 years of age. No difference was noted regarding educational level or country of origin. Public places, including public transportation, and unknown offenders were the most frequently reported setting of SH for both genders. Exposure to SH was associated with a doubled risk for low mental well-being, according to all three outcome definitions, and after adjustment for mental health 6 years earlier. Female gender was related to greater vulnerability to SH exposure concerning GHQ-12 and SF-36. The Population Attributable Fraction for poor mental health was calculated to 13% for women 34 years and younger.
Conclusion
The results of this study make SH an important issue for gender policy as well as for public health policy and intervention.
Funder
FORTE
Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
Medical Faculty at Lund University
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cited by
4 articles.
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