Workplace sexual harassment and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in nurses: a cross-sectional study in southeast Iran.

Abstract

To examine the association between workplace sexual harassment and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among nurses in southeast Iran. Cross-sectional study. Four teaching hospitals affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 283 female nurses with at least 1 year of clinical experience participated in the study. Data were collected using convenience sampling and assessed using a demographic questionnaire, the Nurses' Sexual Harassment Questionnaire, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Non-parametric tests, Spearman's rho correlation and multivariate logistic regression were used for analysis. Overall, 39.1% of nurses reported experiencing sexual harassment sometimes to always. A total of 13.4% screened positive for PTSD. Sexual harassment was significantly associated with PTSD symptoms (OR: 1.26; 95% CI 1.164 to 1.364). Younger, single and less experienced nurses reported higher harassment levels, though sociodemographic variables were not associated with PTSD. Workplace sexual harassment was significantly associated with increased PTSD symptoms among nurses. While demographic factors were related to harassment exposure, they were not linked to PTSD. Findings highlight the importance of preventive organisational strategies to mitigate harassment and protect nurses' mental well-being.