Sexual harassment has become a significant issue in workplace and academic settings, affecting the mental health of individuals across all genders. Despite extensive research, inconsistencies persist in understanding the gender-differentiated impact of sexual harassment on mental health. This study represents the first multi-level and network meta-analysis that distinctly examines the impact of sexual harassment on the mental health of women and men, followed by a comparative analysis of these two genders—an aspect previously unexplored in the literature.
The study is a work in progress which will include quantitative research involving heterosexual adult participants who report direct experiences of sexual harassment, with gender-differentiated data, within a physical setting, and published in English. Data will be extracted from academic databases, open-access sources, peer-reviewed literature, and gray literature. The selected studies will undergo methodological quality and relevance assessment through a double-review process to ensure the consistency and validity of the results. A random-effects model will be employed to account for variability between studies, while standardized mean differences will quantify the impact on mental health. Studies with insufficient data for statistical analysis will be incorporated into the systematic review and analyzed qualitatively The mental health effects of sexual harassment will be categorized according to the biopsychosocial model, covering both clinical and non-clinical outcomes.
The expected contributions include clarifying how sexual harassment influences the mental health of both women and men, considering individual and contextual factors. By examining psychological consequences and contextual influences such as gender norms and social support, this research aims to refine theoretical frameworks and provide directions for the development of nuanced interventions and policies. Despite the anticipated heterogeneity of results, this study will contribute to the development of a conceptual framework that can guide future research and interventions.