Lauren Capodi, Linda D Boyd, Dianne Smallidge, Jared Vineyard
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: This study explored the prevalence and predictors of workplace sexual harassment (SH) from employers, supervisors and co-workers towards dental hygienists.
Methods: Survey research was conducted with a convenience sample of dental hygienists in the United States and Canada (n = 372). The validated Sexual Experiences Questionnaire-Department of Defense-Shortened (SEQ-DOD-S) was utilised to assess the prevalence of workplace SH experiences over 24 months with an open-ended question about career-wide SH experiences. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were used.
Results: The completion rate was 77.4% (n = 288). About 40% of participants had experienced workplace SH from employers, supervisors or co-workers. Male employers were the primary perpetrators of SH, with most respondents reporting 1-10 (80.7%) acts of SH. The most common forms of SH were sexist behaviour (43.1%), crude or offensive behaviour (37.5%), unwanted sexual attention (17.7%) and sexual coercion (6.6%). Predictors of experiencing sexist behaviour were age (B = -0.40, p = 0.003, OR [odds ratio] = 0.96), entry-level dental hygiene degree (B = -1.11, p = 0.03, OR = 0.33) and highest degree earned (B = 0.68, p = 0.04, OR = 1.97). The predictor of unwanted sexual behaviour was age (B = -0.052, p = 0.26, OR = 0.949). For every 1-year increase in age, the odds of experiencing sexist behaviour decreased by 4%, and the odds of experiencing unwanted sexual attention decreased by 5%.
Conclusion: Findings suggest a high prevalence of workplace SH from male employers, supervisors and co-workers towards clinical dental hygienists in the sample. Increasing age and entry-level dental hygiene degree suggest the need for workplace education and policies to address sexual harassment with particular attention to younger dental hygienists.
期刊介绍:
International Journal of Dental Hygiene is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH). The journal brings the latest scientific news, high quality commissioned reviews as well as clinical, professional and educational developmental and legislative news to the profession world-wide. Thus, it acts as a forum for exchange of relevant information and enhancement of the profession with the purpose of promoting oral health for patients and communities.
The aim of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene is to provide a forum for exchange of scientific knowledge in the field of oral health and dental hygiene. A further aim is to support and facilitate the application of new knowledge into clinical practice. The journal welcomes original research, reviews and case reports as well as clinical, professional, educational and legislative news to the profession world-wide.