Sexual harassment at work is a ‘chronic problem’ for women and is causing lasting mental illness, warns new research.
Women are suffering anxiety, depression, eating disorders and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being victimised, according to the study.
They are also turning to drink and drugs in order to cope – and have a lower level of overall happiness.
Although most victims are women the number of complaints by men have risen more than 15 per cent in just 15 years.
However, the report found that male victims do not find their experiences as anxiety-provoking, nor do they see it as bothersome, stressful or upsetting as females.
The findings come in the wake of recent sex scandals that have rocked Hollywood and the Houses of Parliament.
Sexual harassment at work is a ‘chronic problem’ that causes lasting mental illness, warn researchers from the University of Texas
Perpetrators include colleagues, subordinates and customers, along with bosses, finds the study.
Report author Professor James Campbell Quick from the University of Texas, said: ‘Evidence continues to suggest women may experience negative mood, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse as well as work turnover intentions, long term anxiety, job stress and or burnout.
‘Sexual harassment is a continuing, chronic occupational health problem in organisations and work environments.’
Earlier this month a survey of 2,000 Britons found one in five women – and seven percent of men – say they have been victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Sexual harassment has also previously been found to cause muscle aches, high blood pressure and diabetes – increasing the risk of heart problems.
Key findings
The team analysed data from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Fair Employment Practices agencies and found the total number of complaints actually fell 28.5 percent from 1997 to 2011.
Professor Quick said: ‘An interesting find was that the percentage of charges filed by males increased 15.3 per cent; yet, women continue to file the majority of complaints.’
It could be males in the workplace are simply more willing to file complaints given the reduced stigma surrounding it, they said.
‘Even if the gender gap closes in the workforce sexual harassment claims may continue to increase if men feel more threatened,’ he explained.
Organisational climate is a strong predictor of workplace sexual harassment and can include situations where men outnumber women, supervisors are predominantly male and employees believe complaints will not be taken seriously.
The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, said research has shown hierarchical power dynamics are at the root of sexual harassment.
But one other study of men and women in the military found sexual harassment resulted in high levels of depression and anxiety for both men and women.
The higher the level of sexual harassment the more depression, and this rose most sharply for males.
Furthermore, men in the military are ten times more likely to experience sexual harassment than civilian peers. But an estimated 81 percent of victims do not report it.
‘A significant problem’
The president of the American Psychological Association said there are few studies about the people doing the harassing, which would be helpful to tackle the issue.
Professor Antonio Puente said: ‘Sexual harassment in the workplace is a significant occupational health psychology problem.
‘Psychological research has offered understanding into the causes of workplace harassment, as well as some strategies for preventing or reducing it.
‘However, there is limited research regarding the characteristics of harassers, which makes it difficult to predict who will do it and where and when it might happen.
‘What we do know is harassers tend to lack a social conscience and engage in manipulative, immature, irresponsible and exploitative behaviours.
‘Psychology can help, in the form of sexual harassment training, but it only works if it is part of a comprehensive, committed effort to combat the problem.
‘Most research points to sanctions as the primary way that organisations can be less tolerant of harassment.
‘Organisations need to be proactive in establishing policies prohibiting sexual harassment, raising employee awareness, establishing reporting procedures and educating employees about these policies.
‘More research is needed to identify the antecedents to harassment that will help employees and managers identify and respond appropriately.’
THE SEX SCANDALS THAT HAVE ROCKED HOLLYWOOD AND THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
Harvey Weinstein (pictured in May at Cannes Film Festival) was checked into rehab after the sexual harassment claims
The Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood sparked a flurry of allegations in other industries and prompted women to come forward to accuse multiple members of the British Parliament of sexual harassment.
Nearly 100 women have complained that the disgraced Hollywood mogul harassed or raped them, including actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd.
And now several other of Hollywood’s biggest names have been accused of sexual misconduct, including Kevin Spacey, Ben Affleck, Chris Savino and more.
The revelations resulted in the #MeToo campaign, in which women were encouraged to speak out on sexual harassment.
It’s been dubbed the ‘Weinstein Effect’ as women say they have found the confidence to come forward and confront powerful men.
In the UK, the Prime Minister has expressed ‘deep concern’ over claims of a list of alleged ‘sex-pest’ MPs.
Some eight Conservative MPs have already been caught up in the row, with Theresa May’s deputy Damian Green and international trade minister Mark Garnier under investigation by the Cabinet Office.
Last week, Mrs May sat down face to face with every other party leader tonight to strike an agreement for a new ‘grievance procedure’ for MPs’ staff harassed by politicians.