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Experiencing sexual harassment by males and associated substance use & poor mental health outcomes among adolescent girls in the US.

ABSTRACT: Purpose:Among a sample of adolescent girls, we assessed: 1) prevalence of sexual harassment by type, place of occurrence, and perpetrators; 2) association with substance use and poor mental health outcomes; and 3) the proportion of girls experiencing sexual harassment in more than one place and relation to study outcomes. Methods:We collected survey data from 159 sexually active girls (aged 15-19 years) recruited from an urban health clinic in Southern California. We used multivariable regression models to assess associations between sexual harassment in the past 6 months and the following outcomes: 1) substance use in past 30 days (alcohol use, binge drinking, and marijuana use, respectively); 2) other drug use ever; and 3) feelings of depression and anxiety, respectively, in past 30 days. Results:Almost two-thirds of girls (65.4%) reported experiencing sexual harassment in the past 6 months. Among those reporting recent harassment (n?=?104), the abuse most frequently occurred in public spaces (on public transport [50.5%], at school [42.7%], and in their neighborhoods [39.8%]) and most often in the form of sexual comments, jokes, or gestures (57.2%), although 12.6% were "touched, grabbed, or pinched in a sexual way." The vast majority (82.7%) did not know the perpetrators (82.7%). Experiences of sexual harassment in the past 6 months were significantly associated with alcohol use (odds ratio [OR], 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-10.2), binge drinking (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.8-9.8), and marijuana use (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.7) in the past 30 days; other drug use ever (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.8-16.4); and feelings of depression (OR: 2.7; 95%CI: 1.3-5.5) and anxiety (OR: 2.6; 95%CI: 1.2-5.5) in the past 30 days. Just over half (55.3%) reported sexual harassment in more than one place, which was also associated with poor substance use and mental health outcomes. Conclusions:Findings suggest that sexual harassment experiences are pervasive, occur in girls' immediate and everyday environments, and are associated with girls' substance use and adverse mental health outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Reed E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6978506 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Experiencing sexual harassment by males and associated substance use & poor mental health outcomes among adolescent girls in the US.

Reed Elizabeth E Salazar Marissa M Agah Niloufar N Behar Alma I AI Silverman Jay G JG Walsh-Buhi Eric E Rusch Melanie L A MLA Raj Anita A

SSM - population health 20191120

<h4>Purpose</h4>Among a sample of adolescent girls, we assessed: 1) prevalence of sexual harassment by type, place of occurrence, and perpetrators; 2) association with substance use and poor mental health outcomes; and 3) the proportion of girls experiencing sexual harassment in <i>more than one place</i> and relation to study outcomes.<h4>Methods</h4>We collected survey data from 159 sexually active girls (aged 15-19 years) recruited from an urban health clinic in Southern California. We used m ...[more]

PMID: 31998825

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Project description:BackgroundSexual harassment of physicians by patients is highly prevalent and rarely reported. Little is known on how to prepare physicians to handle verbal sexual harassment that detracts from their ability to provide care but does not meet the threshold for reporting.PurposeTo assess the impact of a sexual harassment workshop and toolkit for ophthalmologists and ophthalmology trainees on responding to patient-initiated verbal sexual harassment.MethodsA survey study of ophthalmology faculty, fellows, and residents who participated in workshops on responding to patient-initiated verbal sexual harassment was performed at an academic center. A toolkit of strategies for response was distributed. Volunteer participants completed a retrospective pretest-posttest evaluation at the conclusion of the workshop and follow-up survey 3 weeks after the workshops on whether they experienced harassment and intervened. The pretest-posttest surveys assessed the workshop's effect on ophthalmologists' perceptions of and preparedness to respond to sexual harassment in the moment using a 5-point Likert scale, including bystander intervention. Participants described their responses observing and/or experiencing patient-initiated sexual harassment in the 3 weeks following the workshop and whether they had intervened toward the harassment.ResultsOphthalmologists (n=31) felt significantly more prepared to respond to patient-initiated sexual harassment directed towards themselves or a trainee in the moment after participating in the workshop (4.5 ± 1.63,) than before (3.0 ± 1.3) with a mean change of -1.6 (95% CI -2.2 to -.98, p<0.001). After the workshop 86.3% of participants felt mostly or completely prepared to respond to comments about their age, gender, marital status, appearance, attractiveness, a specific body part, and sexual or inappropriate jokes. Most participants (83.9%) said that they had not previously received training on techniques for responding to patient-initiated sexual harassment. Two-thirds (66.7%) of participants who experienced (n=8) or observed (n=13) harassment (n=15) following the workshop intervened. All participants who intervened toward patient-initiated harassment behavior after the workshop (n=10) found the Sexual Harassment Toolkit helpful in addressing harassment in the moment.ConclusionParticipation in a brief skills-based workshop significantly improved ophthalmologists' preparedness to respond to verbal sexual harassment by patients.

Project description:Introduction and backgroundEarly marriage and maternity represent a violation of human rights and a barrier to achieving gender equality in education. Studies conducted across various regions and countries, including Mozambique, have highlighted the negative consequences of early marriage and maternity, particularly on adolescent girls' physical, educational and mental health. Adolescent girls who marry before the age of 18 are more prone to a broad spectrum of mood, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. In the districts of Maganja da Costa and Morrumbala in Zambézia Province, Mozambique, high rates of early marriage persist despite government policies and interventions.Purpose statementThis study aims to understand early marriage's socio-cultural, economic, and psychological drivers and impacts on adolescent girls' lives, focusing on education, mental health, and well-being.Design and methodsThis paper used a qualitative research design. We employed a life-story approach and used purposeful sampling to identify participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants and the data were analysed using Tesch's thematic analysis approach.ResultsElements contributing to early marriage and pregnancy are intricately linked with socio-cultural elements. These include the induction into specific societal roles, the affirmation of childbearing, the perceived importance of dowry, the impact of rite-of-passage ceremonies, and the cultural significance associated with a girl's initial menstruation. School dropout often originates from geographical and transportation challenges, nudging adolescent girls towards early marriage. In some instances, termination of pregnancy was viewed as a solution, while engaging in sexual activities was seen as a means to inject purpose into their lives or as a response to poverty. Positive changes and emotions were evident, yet regrettably, the ramifications of early pregnancy and marriage were primarily detrimental. These influenced the adolescent girls' interpersonal connections, educational and career opportunities, emotional well-being, and access to support networks.ConclusionsThe modern perspective, which advocates for equal educational rights for boys and girls and posits that marriage should occur after the age of 18, contradicts the socio-cultural perspective of adulthood.ContributionThis study adds to the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat early marriage and maternity in Africa.

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Experiencing sexual harassment by males and associated substance use & poor mental health outcomes among adolescent girls in the US.

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Experiencing sexual harassment by males and associated substance use & poor mental health outcomes among adolescent girls in the US.

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