TY - JOUR
T1 - MeTooOT
T2 - Sexual Harassment Experiences of Occupational Therapy Academics and Recommendations for Systemic Change
AU - Proffitt, Rachel
AU - Kraus, Bridget
AU - Jozkowski, Amanda C.
AU - Shea Lemoins, Samantha
AU - Kersey, Jessica
AU - Brick, Rachelle
AU - Schwartz, Jaclyn K.
AU - Hoyt, Catherine R.
N1 - Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Rachelle Brick is funded in part by the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program in the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institutes of Health.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Sexual harassment is pervasive in academic health fields. Although a predominantly female profession, early career academics and trainees in occupational therapy (OT) remain vulnerable to sexual harassment. We aimed to describe experiences of sexual harassment of female-identifying academic OT practitioners. We conducted surveys and interviews using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to examine participants’ experiences. Ten participants completed the survey and/or interview. Experiences ranged from inappropriate comments to persistent sexual assault. Four themes (blurred lines, unbalanced consequences, “how did I get here?” and “we don’t talk about it”) were generated based on participant responses. Power dynamics and the cultures and values of the OT profession were underlying elements of all themes. The consequences of sexual harassment were severe and affected personal and professional growth. For OT research and education to thrive, stronger support for victims and consistent, appropriate consequences for perpetrators are necessary to minimize negative outcomes for victims.
AB - Sexual harassment is pervasive in academic health fields. Although a predominantly female profession, early career academics and trainees in occupational therapy (OT) remain vulnerable to sexual harassment. We aimed to describe experiences of sexual harassment of female-identifying academic OT practitioners. We conducted surveys and interviews using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to examine participants’ experiences. Ten participants completed the survey and/or interview. Experiences ranged from inappropriate comments to persistent sexual assault. Four themes (blurred lines, unbalanced consequences, “how did I get here?” and “we don’t talk about it”) were generated based on participant responses. Power dynamics and the cultures and values of the OT profession were underlying elements of all themes. The consequences of sexual harassment were severe and affected personal and professional growth. For OT research and education to thrive, stronger support for victims and consistent, appropriate consequences for perpetrators are necessary to minimize negative outcomes for victims.
KW - context
KW - education
KW - management
KW - qualitative research
KW - work
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85147750372&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/15394492231153120
DO - 10.1177/15394492231153120
M3 - Article
C2 - 36762502
AN - SCOPUS:85147750372
SN - 1539-4492
JO - OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health
JF - OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health
ER -