Work Style Development Processes of Male Nurses Exposed to Sexual Harassment

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to clarify the process by which male nurses working in a general hospital develop their work styles after being sexually harassed. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 male nurses, who were victims of sexual harassment. The data obtained were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results: The analysis presented 21 concepts, explaining the process by which sexually harassed nurses dealt with abuse at the workplace. When male nurses came to understand the nature of sexual victimization and perpetration through their own experiences, they gained insights into the situation encountered by female nurses, who out of necessity were compelled to act as figures of authority, thus enabling them to understand the implications of sexual harassment occurring in the workplace. Conclusions: Male nurses who experienced sexual harassment developed coping mechanisms in their social interaction with the perpetrator, and recognized the power dynamics and relationships in the workplace. Thus, their working style was developed through defense mechanisms that identified the power structure in a female-dominated work environment. This understanding was applied to their lives and experiences, to allow for personal growth in the face of abuse.