Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

(1) Background: Sexual harassment in the workplace is a problem that particularly affects women and is not an exception in the world of work. Factors such as power asymmetry, the predominantly masculinized culture in many organizations, and the potential impunity of perpetrators increase the associa...

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Main Authors: M. Isabel Soler-Sánchez, José Antonio López-Pina, Mariano Meseguer-de Pedro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/6/101
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author M. Isabel Soler-Sánchez
José Antonio López-Pina
Mariano Meseguer-de Pedro
author_facet M. Isabel Soler-Sánchez
José Antonio López-Pina
Mariano Meseguer-de Pedro
author_sort M. Isabel Soler-Sánchez
collection DOAJ
description (1) Background: Sexual harassment in the workplace is a problem that particularly affects women and is not an exception in the world of work. Factors such as power asymmetry, the predominantly masculinized culture in many organizations, and the potential impunity of perpetrators increase the associated risks. This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire-Workplace (SEQ-W) to measure sexual harassment at work and assess its validity in Spanish. (2) Methods: A total of 120 active female workers (67.5% European and 32.5% South American) participated, completing validated instruments to measure sexual harassment, workplace bullying, self-perceived health, and job satisfaction. The questionnaires were administered online, ensuring anonymity and explaining the study’s objectives. (3) Results: An exploratory factor analysis revealed a bifactorial structure with the dimensions “Sexual Harassment by Coercion” and “Harassment by Unwanted Sexual Attention.” Both dimensions demonstrated adequate internal consistency, concurrent validity with workplace bullying and well-being scales, and discriminant validity with job satisfaction. Additionally, a pronounced floor effect was observed, indicating a low prevalence of sexual harassment in the sample. (4) Conclusions: the SEQ-W scale is a useful tool for assessing sexual harassment among active Spanish-speaking female workers, considering its validated bidimensional structure in Spanish.
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spelling doaj-art-a754f585f935405bb1be15b0b32036d22025-08-20T03:27:32ZengMDPI AGEuropean Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education2174-81442254-96252025-06-0115610110.3390/ejihpe15060101Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the WorkplaceM. Isabel Soler-Sánchez0José Antonio López-Pina1Mariano Meseguer-de Pedro2Department of Psychiatry and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartment of Basic Psychology and Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartment of Psychiatry and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain(1) Background: Sexual harassment in the workplace is a problem that particularly affects women and is not an exception in the world of work. Factors such as power asymmetry, the predominantly masculinized culture in many organizations, and the potential impunity of perpetrators increase the associated risks. This study aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sexual Experiences Questionnaire-Workplace (SEQ-W) to measure sexual harassment at work and assess its validity in Spanish. (2) Methods: A total of 120 active female workers (67.5% European and 32.5% South American) participated, completing validated instruments to measure sexual harassment, workplace bullying, self-perceived health, and job satisfaction. The questionnaires were administered online, ensuring anonymity and explaining the study’s objectives. (3) Results: An exploratory factor analysis revealed a bifactorial structure with the dimensions “Sexual Harassment by Coercion” and “Harassment by Unwanted Sexual Attention.” Both dimensions demonstrated adequate internal consistency, concurrent validity with workplace bullying and well-being scales, and discriminant validity with job satisfaction. Additionally, a pronounced floor effect was observed, indicating a low prevalence of sexual harassment in the sample. (4) Conclusions: the SEQ-W scale is a useful tool for assessing sexual harassment among active Spanish-speaking female workers, considering its validated bidimensional structure in Spanish.https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/6/101sexual harassment at workSEQ-Wvalidationexploratory factor analysis
spellingShingle M. Isabel Soler-Sánchez
José Antonio López-Pina
Mariano Meseguer-de Pedro
Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
sexual harassment at work
SEQ-W
validation
exploratory factor analysis
title Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
title_full Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
title_fullStr Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
title_full_unstemmed Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
title_short Psychometric Properties of the SEQ-W Scale: An Instrument for the Estimation of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
title_sort psychometric properties of the seq w scale an instrument for the estimation of sexual harassment in the workplace
topic sexual harassment at work
SEQ-W
validation
exploratory factor analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2254-9625/15/6/101
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AT joseantoniolopezpina psychometricpropertiesoftheseqwscaleaninstrumentfortheestimationofsexualharassmentintheworkplace
AT marianomeseguerdepedro psychometricpropertiesoftheseqwscaleaninstrumentfortheestimationofsexualharassmentintheworkplace