Perceived severity of workplace harassment and coping strategies: a gender-based comparative study

Abstract

Workplace harassment remains a pressing organizational concern, with growing attention on how individuals perceive and respond to such experiences across gender lines. Guided by the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping, this study investigates gender-based differences in the perception of workplace harassment and the coping strategies employees employ. A total of 306 participants, balanced across gender identities, were recruited through Prolific to complete validated survey instruments, including the Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ-R) to assess perceived harassment and the Full COPE inventory to capture coping strategies. Independent-samples t-tests revealed no significant gender differences in overall harassment perception, suggesting that men and women report comparable levels of exposure and severity. However, differences emerged in coping responses. Women were more likely to rely on emotional coping strategies and showed a slightly higher tendency toward avoidance coping, though both genders reported similar engagement in rational, problem-focused coping. Regression analyses further indicated that harassment perception was negatively associated with job satisfaction, with coping strategies showing limited predictive power, while rational coping demonstrated a positive effect. These findings highlight the need for organizations to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach when designing interventions. Tailored support systems that account for gendered coping tendencies can better equip employees to manage workplace harassment while preserving job satisfaction. This research contributes to both scholarly discourse and practical strategies for building inclusive and supportive work environments.