Military Members Responses to Sexually Harassing Behavior : Response Types and Efficacies

This thesis uses four sexual harassment response constructs and evaluates the efficacy of the responses. The constructs are built based on individual or joint/collaboratory responses and whether or not the harasser is confronted with his or her behavior(s) perceived as harassing by the victim. The constructs are applied to the 1995 Department of Defense survey of Harassment. Results include each response's effect on the harassing behavior, whether the behavior is ceased or not. A second result is the victim's perception of improvement or worsening of the situation based on the response type used. Tests for proportional differences were used to determine the response type's effect on the harassment (ceased or continuing) and comparisons of confidence intervals were used to determine the response type's effect on the situation (improved or worsened). This study found that respondents used more than one type of response in most cases. Some dual-response constructs were also evaluated for efficacy. Results indicated responses which attack the behavior such as individual or supported confrontation tend to stop the behavior though they do not always result in a more favorable situation. Confrontational responses were not the most frequently chosen though they were the most effective. Reporting channels and advocacy seeking behavior (i.e. social actions) were used minimally.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH School of Logistics and Acquisition Management is the author of 'Military Members Responses to Sexually Harassing Behavior : Response Types and Efficacies', published 1998 under ISBN 9781423557920 and ISBN 1423557921.