title: Sexual harassment in healthcare: classification of harassers and rationalizations of sex-based harassment behavior.
abstract: This study identified how 16 Australian registered nurses classified sex-based harassers and explained their own behavior and the behavior of the harasser. A qualitative research design, relying on in-depth interviews, was used to collect the data. The study found that harassment is linked to gender roles and that the harassed are reluctant to blame the harasser--the harassed had "sound" rationalizations for harassment. Awareness of the interactional dynamics of self-blame and these rationalizations will help nurse executives ensure a harassment-free workplace.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351, Australia. jmadison@netz.une.edu.au
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madison
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Minichiello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001242:Assertiveness; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology