Analysis

The Peer Sexual Harassment Victimization Scale (PSHVS) is a tool designed to assess the experiences and effects of sexual harassment that individuals endure from their peers. The scale examines the frequency, severity, and impact of harassing behaviors, as well as the emotional and psychological consequences for the victims.

Purpose

The purpose of the scale is:
Assessment of Harassment Experiences: To measure the frequency and severity of sexually harassing behaviors experienced by participants from their peers.
Understanding Consequences: To analyze the emotional and psychological consequences of sexual harassment for victims, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Support for Intervention Development: To contribute to the creation of support and intervention programs aimed at protecting and empowering victims.
Promotion of Social Awareness: To increase awareness about the problem of peer sexual harassment and promote understanding and prevention of this behavior.

Scoring

The scale includes various statements and questions that participants evaluate using a Likert scale, ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Very Often). The statements cover different forms of harassment, such as verbal, physical, or online harassment, and the total scores provide an estimate of victimization and its impact.

References

Gruber, J. E., & Fineran, S. (2008). Comparing the Impact of Bullying and Sexual Harassment Victimization on the Mental and Physical Health of Adolescents. Sex Roles, 59(1–2), 1–13.
Petersen, J. L., & Hyde, J. S. (2009). A Meta-Analytic Review of Research on Gender Differences in Sexuality, 1993–2007. Psychological Bulletin, 135(1), 21–38.
Chiodo, D., Wolfe, D. A., Crooks, C. V., Hughes, R., & Jaffe, P. G. (2009). Impact of Sexual Harassment Victimization by Peers on Subsequent Adolescent Victimization and Adjustment: A Longitudinal Study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(3), 246–252.
Espelage, D. L., & Holt, M. K. (2007). Dating Violence & Sexual Harassment Across the Bully-Victim Continuum Among Middle and High School Students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36(6), 799–811.
Fineran, S., & Bennett, L. (1999). Gender and Power Issues of Peer Sexual Harassment Among Teenagers. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14(6), 626–641.