Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

• M. Isabel Soler-Sánchez ^[1] ; José Antonio López-Pina ^[1] ; Mariano Meseguer-de Pedro ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad de Murcia

     Universidad de Murcia

     Murcia, España

     
• Localización: EJIHPE: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, ISSN 2174-8144, ISSN-e 2254-9625, Vol. 15, Nº. 6, 2025, págs. 101-101
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe15060101
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • (1) Background: Sexual harassment in the workplace is a problem that particularly affects women and is not an exception in the world of work. Factors such as power asymmetry, the predominantly masculinized culture in many organizations, and the potential impunity of perpetrators increase the associated risks. This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire-Workplace (SEQ-W) to measure sexual harassment at work and assess its validity in Spanish. (2) Methods: A total of 120 active female workers (67.5% European and 32.5% South American) participated, completing validated instruments to measure sexual harassment, workplace bullying, self-perceived health, and job satisfaction. The questionnaires were administered online, ensuring anonymity and explaining the study’s objectives. (3) Results: An exploratory factor analysis revealed a bifactorial structure with the dimensions “Sexual Harassment by Coercion” and “Harassment by Unwanted Sexual Attention.” Both dimensions demonstrated adequate internal consistency, concurrent validity with workplace bullying and well-being scales, and discriminant validity with job satisfaction. Additionally, a pronounced floor effect was observed, indicating a low prevalence of sexual harassment in the sample. (4) Conclusions: the SEQ-W scale is a useful tool for assessing sexual harassment among active Spanish-speaking female workers, considering its validated bidimensional structure in Spanish.

• Referencias bibliográficas
  • Baker, C. N. (2007). The emergence of organized feminist resistance to sexual harassment in the United States in the 1970s. Journal of Women’s...
  • Cortina, L. M. (2001). Assessing sexual harassment among Latinas: Development of an instrument. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology,...
  • da Silva Fonseca, T., Portela, A. V. M., de Assis Freire, S. E., & Negreiros, F. (2018). Assédio sexual no trabalho. Ciencias Psicológicas,...
  • Diez-Canseco, F., Toyama, M., Hidalgo-Padilla, L., & Bird, V. J. (2022). Systematic review of policies and interventions to prevent sexual...
  • Einarsen, S., & Raknes, B. I. (1997). Harassment at work and victimization of men. Violence and Victims, 12, 247–263.
  • Fitzgerald, L. F., Drasgow, F., Hulin, C. L., Gelfand, M. J., & Magley, V. J. (1997). Antecedents and consequences of sexual harassment...
  • Fitzgerald, L. F., Gelfand, M. J., & Drasgow, F. (1995). Measuring sexual harassment: Theoretical and psychometric advances. Basic and...
  • Fitzgerald, L. F., Magley, V. J., Drasgow, F., & Waldo, C. R. (1999). Measuring sexual harassment in the military: The Sexual Experiences...
  • Fitzgerald, L. F., Shullman, S. L., Bailey, N., Richards, M., Swecker, J., Gold, Y., Ormerod, M., & Weitzman, L. (1988). The incidence...
  • Goldberg, D., & Williams, P. (2000). General health questionnaire (GHQ). nferNelson.
  • Gutek, B. A., Murphy, R. O., & Douma, B. (2004). A review and critique of the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire (SEQ). Law and Human Behavior,...
  • Karami, A., Spinel, M. Y., White, C. N., Ford, K., & Swan, S. (2021). A systematic literature review of sexual harassment studies with...
  • Lombardo, E., & Bustelo, M. (2022). Sexual and sexist harassment in Spanish universities: Policy implementation and resistances against...
  • McCann, D. (2005). Sexual harassment at work: National and international responses. International Labour Office.
  • Merkin, R. S. (2012). Sexual harassment indicators: The socio-cultural and cultural impact of marital status, age, education, race, and sex...
  • Pérez-Bilbao, J., & Fidalgo, M. (1995). Job satisfaction: Overall job satisfaction scale. Centro Nacional de Condiciones de Trabajo.
  • Riddle, K., & Heaton, K. (2023). Antecedents to sexual harassment of women in selected male-dominated occupations: A systematic review....
  • Sánchez-López, M. D. P., & Dresch, V. (2008). The 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12): Reliability, external validity, and factor...
  • Soler-Sánchez, M. I., Meseguer de Pedro, M., García Izquierdo, M., & Hidalgo Montesinos, M. (2010). Validation of the Einarsen and Raknes...
  • Warr, P., Cook, J., & Wall, T. (1979). Scales for the measurement of some work attitudes and aspects of psychological well-being. Journal...
  • Willness, C. R., Steel, P., & Lee, K. (2007). A meta-analysis of the antecedents and consequences of workplace sexual harassment. Personnel...
  • Women UN. (2019). Handbook: Addressing violence and harassment against women in the world of work. UN Women Headquarters.
  • Women UN. (2020). Sexual harassment in the informal economy: Farmworkers and domestic workers. UN Women Headquarters.