title: The influence of sexual harassment on mental health among female military personnel of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reports of sexual harassment are becoming more frequent in Republic of Korea (ROK) Armed Forces. This study aimed to analyse the impact of sexual harassment on mental health among female military personnel of the ROK Armed Forces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 2014 Military Health Survey were used. Instances of sexual harassment were recorded as 'yes' or 'no'. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to compare Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 10 (K-10) scores. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associations between sexual harassment and K-10 scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 228 female military personnel, 13 (5.7%) individuals experienced sexual harassment. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that sexual harassment had a significantly negative impact on K-10 scores (3.486, p<0.04). Higher K-10 scores among individuals experiencing sexual harassment were identified in the unmarried (including never-married) group (6.761, p<0.04), the short-term military service group (12.014, p<0.03) and the group whose length of service was <2 years (11.067, p<0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual harassment has a negative impact on mental health. Factors associated with worse mental health scores included service classification and length of service. The results provide helpful information with which to develop measures for minimising the negative psychological effects from sexual harassment and promoting sexual harassment prevention policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Kyung
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, 65th Medical Brigade, USA.
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: K-T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: E-C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008603:Mental Health; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: MENTAL HEALTH