Sexual Harassment Experience, Psychological Climate, and Sex Effect on Perception of Safety

Sexual Harassment Experience, Psychological Climate, and Sex Effect on Perception of Safety by Kenneth C. Barker MA, Florida Atlantic University, 2000 BS, Ambassador College, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2017 Abstract Sexual harassment has significant adverse psychological and physical effects on employees and negatively impacts the workplace and business operations. A gap in literature was identified concerning whether an employee’s sex affects perceived safety from sexual harassment. This study examined the effects of workplace sexual harassment experience (WSH) and perception of workplace sexual harassment psychological climate (PSHC) on an employee’s perceived safety from sexual harassment (PSSH) moderated by the sex of the employee. A sample (N = 414) of employees in the United States completed the Psychological Climate for Sexual Harassment Scale, Psychosocial Safety Climate Scale-12, and Sexual Experiences Questionnaire via SurveyMonkey. Descriptive statistics, normality testing, and multiple regressions were used to analyze data. Results of the analysis revealed a significant relationship between WSH-PSSH (R = 0.05, p < 0.001), and PSHC-PSSH (R = 0.38, p < 0.001), indicating WSH and PSHC were both significant predictors of PSSH. However, employee’s sex did not moderate the WSHPSSH relationship, nor did it moderate the PSHC-PSSH relationship. When perceived workplace sexual harassment climate and employee sexual harassment experience were observed, only perceived workplace sexual harassment climate was associated with increased perceived safety from sexual harassment. Further research into diverseSexual harassment has significant adverse psychological and physical effects on employees and negatively impacts the workplace and business operations. A gap in literature was identified concerning whether an employee’s sex affects perceived safety from sexual harassment. This study examined the effects of workplace sexual harassment experience (WSH) and perception of workplace sexual harassment psychological climate (PSHC) on an employee’s perceived safety from sexual harassment (PSSH) moderated by the sex of the employee. A sample (N = 414) of employees in the United States completed the Psychological Climate for Sexual Harassment Scale, Psychosocial Safety Climate Scale-12, and Sexual Experiences Questionnaire via SurveyMonkey. Descriptive statistics, normality testing, and multiple regressions were used to analyze data. Results of the analysis revealed a significant relationship between WSH-PSSH (R = 0.05, p < 0.001), and PSHC-PSSH (R = 0.38, p < 0.001), indicating WSH and PSHC were both significant predictors of PSSH. However, employee’s sex did not moderate the WSHPSSH relationship, nor did it moderate the PSHC-PSSH relationship. When perceived workplace sexual harassment climate and employee sexual harassment experience were observed, only perceived workplace sexual harassment climate was associated with increased perceived safety from sexual harassment. Further research into diverse populations and anti-harassment programs’ impact on perceived safety may provide more insights. Results of this study can help decision-makers promote better security from sexual harassment and promote positive social change by reducing the number of adverse events affecting individuals, businesses, and society. Sexual Harassment Experience, Psychological Climate, and Sex Effect on Perception of Safety by Kenneth C. Barker MA, Florida Atlantic University, 2000 BA, Ambassador College, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2017 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my mother, Lorna Hillary Barker, who always believed in me. I always had her support and encouragement. Though her life was a very difficult one, her encouragement was always to making mine better. Her smile, laugh, voice and her love for people, I will always remember as a lesson that helped me through this process. It does not matter what difficulties we go through in life, what matters is the way in which we experience them, and the way we treat each other. Though she is no longer with us, I will always remember, appreciate, and love her for her sacrifice and love for me. Acknowledgements The completion of this dissertation would not be possible without the support of many individuals. First, I give thanks to my Sovereign Lord who provided the spark that got the entire dissertation going. I am thankful to him for his continued encouragement during times when quitting crossed my mind, for financial support, clarity of thinking when I was too tired, and surrounded me with support along the way. Dr. David Mohr, your contribution is difficult to put into words. From the beginning to when we finally decided a change of topic was necessary, and to the end, you provided unyielding support. Your desire to see me finish and to finish it correctly placed a stamp of quality on the finished work. Your continual pointing forward kept me moving to the distant goal that became a reality. Thank you for your contribution to our success. Dr. Gwynne Dawdy, as a committee member your input was invaluable as it added to my desire for increased excellence. I was often forced into areas I would not have considered. I am thankful that you agreed to come on board to take on this challenge to help complete this important work. To the faculty and staff of Johnson and Wales University, you provided much needed support, encouragement, guidance, advice, and a pillow to rest my head on so that I could nap at my desk when needed. Finally, immeasurable thanks and appreciation to my wife, Lisa, who supported me from the beginning to the end. You took upon yourself many of the duties and responsibilities that were mine so that I could have the needed time to study, write and rest. Without you this would not have been possible. I am deeply and truly grateful to you for the sacrifices you made to make this all possible. I love you.