A1 Journal article (refereed)
Associations between Teacher- and Student-directed Sexual and Physical Violence in Physical Education (2022)

Gråsten, A., & Kokkonen, M. (2022). Associations between Teacher- and Student-directed Sexual and Physical Violence in Physical Education. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(7-8), NP4372-NP4392. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520959640

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Gråsten, Arto; Kokkonen, Marja

Journal or series: Journal of Interpersonal Violence

ISSN: 0886-2605

eISSN: 1552-6518

Publication year: 2022

Volume: 37

Issue number: 7-8

Pages range: NP4372-NP4392

Publisher: Sage Publications

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520959640

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72083

Abstract

This study examined relationships between teachers’ perceptions of verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment and physical violence against teachers and among students in physical education (PE). Participants were 175 (females 122, males 53) Finnish PE teachers between 27 and 62 years (M = 44.8 ± 9.2 years). The cross-sectional data were collected by an anonymous online survey in the fall semester 2018. The findings showed that (a) higher levels of verbal sexual harassment and physical violence among students were associated with higher levels of equivalent types of violence against PE teachers, (b) higher levels of verbal and non-verbal sexual harassment among students were associated with higher levels of physical assaults among students, whereas only non-verbal sexual harassment was associated with physical violence against teachers, and (c) verbal sexual harassment and physical violence among students occurred more frequently in PE classes instructed by less experienced teachers. The results indicated that to prevent both teacher- and student-directed verbal sexual harassment and physical violence in school PE, special attention could be given to the positive development of student–student relationships.

Keywords: physical education (school subject); problem behaviour; bullying; harassment; sexual harassment; violence (activity); psychological abuse; victims; school children; teachers; physical education teachers

Free keywords: school; interpersonal; verbal; non-verbal; harassment; victimization

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

JUFO rating: 2