Sexual Harassment Experiences, Knowledge, and Coping Behaviors of Nursing Students in Taiwan During Clinical Practicum

Abstract

Sexual harassment not only endangers nursing students’ physical and mental health but also considerably affects their future willingness to engage in the field of nursing. To identify experiences, knowledge, coping behaviors, and determinants of sexual harassment among nursing students during clinical practicum, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey where a structured self-report questionnaire was used. A total of 291 senior nursing students were recruited from four universities in Central Taiwan. Sixty-six nursing students (22.7%), including 59 women (23.3%) and 7 men (18.4%), reported experiencing sexual harassment during clinical practicum. Male students scored significantly higher than female students did on knowledge of sexual harassment ( p = 0.028). Female students scored significantly higher than male students did on attitudes toward preventing and coping with sexual harassment ( p = 0.05). Nursing students who were older, had fathers who had higher education levels, or had undergone gender-related courses were more likely to experience sexual harassment. More than one-fifth of nursing students experienced sexual harassment during their clinical practicum, making this a formidable challenge in nursing education. Education is required to prevent sexual harassment and enhance gender sensitivity among nursing students, who are at a greater risk of experiencing sexual harassment in clinical practicum.