Examining the immediate and enduring psychological impact of street harassment on women’s mental health

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dc.abstract.enPurpose Many women report experiences of street harassment during their lifetime. Previous quantitative survey research has shown the variety of ways in which this type of harassment can impact upon a victim’s life, including restricting their freedom of movement and fear of further victimisation. The purpose of this study is understand the immediate and enduring psychological impact of street harassment on female victim-survivors. Design/methodology/approach The present study aims to explore, qualitatively, women’s experiences of street harassment through thematic analysis of on 35 online blog posts. Data were collected from the “Stop Street Harassment” website, where women are invited to share their experiences anonymously. Findings Three main themes were generated from the data. First was the age at which women began to experience street harassment, with recurring early incidents during formative childhood years. Second was the impact that experiences had on their mental health and psychological well-being with feelings of shame, fear, self-loathing, as well as decreased self-esteem and confidence experienced in the immediate aftermath – though the longer-term negative emotions reported were enduring feelings of anger alongside a constant state of anxiety from feelings of vulnerability to further victimisation. The final theme was the modification of behaviour after experiencing street harassment where women choose to avoid walking alone on the streets or consciously changed their clothing choices, to avoid being harassed. Originality/value This study offers a further qualitative insight into the real-life experience and psychological consequences of street harassment upon survivors’ mental health.
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii we Wrocławiu
dc.contributor.authorThornton, Georgina
dc.contributor.authorWillmott, Dominic
dc.contributor.authorRichardson, Emma
dc.contributor.authorHudspith, Lara
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-02T08:15:00Z
dc.date.available2026-10-02T08:15:00Z
dc.date.created2023-08-15
dc.date.issued2024-12-02
dc.description.abstract<jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>Many women report experiences of street harassment during their lifetime. Previous quantitative survey research has shown the variety of ways in which this type of harassment can impact upon a victim’s life, including restricting their freedom of movement and fear of further victimisation. The purpose of this study is understand the immediate and enduring psychological impact of street harassment on female victim-survivors.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title> <jats:p>The present study aims to explore, qualitatively, women’s experiences of street harassment through thematic analysis of on 35 online blog posts. Data were collected from the “Stop Street Harassment” website, where women are invited to share their experiences anonymously.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title> <jats:p>Three main themes were generated from the data. First was the age at which women began to experience street harassment, with recurring early incidents during formative childhood years. Second was the impact that experiences had on their mental health and psychological well-being with feelings of shame, fear, self-loathing, as well as decreased self-esteem and confidence experienced in the immediate aftermath – though the longer-term negative emotions reported were enduring feelings of anger alongside a constant state of anxiety from feelings of vulnerability to further victimisation. The final theme was the modification of behaviour after experiencing street harassment where women choose to avoid walking alone on the streets or consciously changed their clothing choices, to avoid being harassed.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title> <jats:p>This study offers a further qualitative insight into the real-life experience and psychological consequences of street harassment upon survivors’ mental health.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.description.issue5
dc.description.physical734–744
dc.description.sdgQualityEducation
dc.description.sdgReducedInequalities
dc.description.sdgPeaceJusticeAndStrongInstitutions
dc.description.sdgGenderEquality
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume28
dc.identifier.doi10.1108/MHSI-07-2023-0080
dc.identifier.eissn2042-8316
dc.identifier.issn2042-8308
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2578
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.emerald.com/mhsi/article-abstract/28/5/734/1220420/Examining-the-immediate-and-enduring-psychological?redirectedFrom=fulltext
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsClosedAccess
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.subject.enStreet harassment
dc.subject.enSexualisation
dc.subject.enPsychological harm
dc.subject.enAnxiety
dc.subject.enSelf-esteem
dc.subject.enAnger
dc.subject.enVulnerability
dc.subject.enBehavioural modification
dc.subject.enOnline blogs
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleExamining the immediate and enduring psychological impact of street harassment on women’s mental health
dc.title.journalMental Health and Social Inclusion
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle