Personality Characteristics that Increase Vulnerability to Sexual Harassment Among US Army Soldiers

The study examines personality characteristics that may increase vulnerability to sexual harassment among active duty Army personnel. A survey was administered to 1,060 male soldiers and 305 female soldiers at three Army posts located in the United States. Sexual harassment was measured by the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire, which assesses unwanted sexual behaviors in the workplace. Two gender-related personality characteristics derived from the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire were hypothesized to increase vulnerability to sexual harassment. Negative Femininity, which reflects extreme passivity, and Negative Masculinity, which includes antisocial characteristics, were both found to be positively correlated with unwanted sexual experiences among male and female soldiers