Publication Date

2020

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Valentiner, David P.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a common problem that has negative consequences on society as a whole and on individual well-being. Confronting sexual harassers has been shown to be an effective response. Victims of sexual harassment are also encouraged to report harassment. Sexual harassment has been associated with internalizing responses, such as depression and decreased self-esteem. These responses could negatively influence confronting and reporting behaviors. This study draws from previous mindset research. Results from this prior research showed evidence that shyness mindset affects responses to peer victimization among adolescents and college students. This study hypothesized that shyness mindset among female college students is associated with internalizing responses following sexual harassment and that this relationship is exacerbated by social anxiety. This study used a cross-sectional, self-report design using female college-aged participants who completed a series of questionnaires. Results from this study demonstrated significant associations between sexual harassment and feelings of self-blame, depression, and low self-esteem. When considering shyness mindset as a moderator in the relationship, there were significant associations primarily at low levels of shyness mindset, which is the opposite of the hypothesized direction. Analyses did not support the hypothesis presence of a three-way interaction. Depression also had an overall effect on classes missed due to feeling uncomfortable. These findings have implications for how both entity and incremental shyness mindsets are conceptualized, especially in the context of sexual harassment.

Extent

118 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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