J Korean Phys Ther.  2022 Apr;34(2):73-79. 10.18857/jkpt.2022.34.2.73.

A Survey on Sexual Harassment and Countermeasures of Physical Therapists in the Workplace

• Jeon HJ
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2536756
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2022.34.2.73

Abstract

Purpose
This descriptive study aimed at physical therapists to determine the actual conditions of sexual harassment occurring in the workplace, their coping strategies, and effective coping methods.
Methods
In total, 186 responses were collected through Google from June 28 to August 21, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 102 questions about the subject’s general characteristics, sexual harassment, psychological stress, physical stress, and sexual harassment prevention education. Statistical Package For The Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis, frequency analysis, percentage, standard deviation, and corresponding sample t-test, and the significance level was set to 0.05.
Results
The perception of sexual harassment was 7.1, which was lower than that of other occupations. The perpetrators of visual, verbal, and physical sexual harassment appeared in the order of patients, coworkers, and guardians. Psychological and physical stresses were higher than the average due to damage caused by sexual harassment, requiring some attention. Work stress showed an average level. With the higher perception, a negative correlation was observed in the face of mitigation (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The number of victims of sexual harassment is increasing every year. To cope with sexual harassment, there should be a department capable of counseling and processing in the workplace, and what occurs should be analyzed. In addition, educational programs are needed to prevent sexual harassment in consideration of the characteristics of hospitals.

Keyword

Sexual harassment situation; Sexual harassment countermeasures; Physical therapist; Questionnaire