Influence of Awareness of Sexual Harassment on Nursing Students' Coping Behavior during Clinical Practice

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the awareness of sexual harassment and the coping behavior of recipients of sexual harassment. This study also assesses the factors that influence the coping behavior of nursing students during clinical practice. METHODS: For this descriptive study, data were collected from November 15 to December 15, 2017. Participants included 221 nursing students recruited from nursing colleges located in three different areas. RESULTS: 22% of the participants answered that they had experienced sexual harassment. Regarding the type of attacker, the majority of attacker was patient (83.7%). The sexual harassment awareness level was 4.22±0.40, the degree of coping for those who experienced sexual harassment was 2.99±0.38. Among the coping behaviors, mitigation (3.48±0.39) was the highest. The factors influencing the coping behavior of recipients of sexual harassment were sexual harassment awareness (β=0.24, p=.016) and satisfaction with preventive education (β=0.45, p < .001). CONCLUSION: In order to make a safe clinical practice environment, it is necessary to develop a practical sexual harassment prevention program, as well as a reporting and support system for the nursing students. Such a program will help students clearly recognize the sexual harassment situation and increase their abilities to cope with sexual harassment appropriately.