Relationships Among Sexual Harassment, Gender, and Diversity Culture in High School Athletics

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the (a) relationship between an organization's diversity culture and the prevalence of sexual harassment and (b) degree to which gender moderated the association between being sexually harassed and one's job satisfaction and work withdrawal. Data were gathered from 303 (208 men, 95 women) interscholastic coaches. Structural equation modeling indicated that a proactive diversity culture was negatively related to sexual harassment. Sexual harassment held a negative relationship with job satisfaction and a positive association with work withdrawal. The negative association between sexual harassment and job satisfaction was stronger for women than for men. Findings demonstrate the importance of considering how gender moderates sexual harassment's relationship with work outcomes.