IMPACT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE
IMPACT OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Summary/Abstract: There is a noticeable upsurge in evil acts in higher institutions in Anambra state ranging from cultism, drug, alcohol, violence and revolt to sexual harassment. Sexually harassed individuals can suffer through a number of psychological effects. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design to investigate the impact of sexual harassment on psycho-social adjustment of female undergraduate students in higher institutions in Anambra state. Four research questions guided the study. From a population of 4,852 students in 300 and 400 levels in three selected higher institutions in Anambra state, 80 students who agreed to participate in the study formed the sample for the study. Data were collected through questionnaire of 29 items to elicit information on the impact of sexual harassment on psycho-social adjustment of undergraduate students. The instrument was validated by experts in education. Reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha and an alpha coefficient of 0.79 was obtained. Research questions were answered using frequencies, percentages and mean. Result revealed the prevalence of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions in Anambra state. It also revealed that sexual harassment is associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as diminished self esteem, self-confidence and psychological well-being. The researchers recommended team teaching in higher institutions, discouraging the culture of silence and the perpetrators of sexual harassment to face the law among others.

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