Affiliations: Department of Management Studies, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Paul T. Balwant, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Department of
Management Studies, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad. Tel.: +1 868 792 1600. E-mail: paul.balwant@sta.uwi.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Research on workplace sexual harassment has focused largely on its direct antecedents and consequences. In contrast, few studies unravel mechanisms through which sexual harassment is related to organizational outcomes. OBJECTIVE:Following affective events theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate mental health as a mechanism in the relationship between sexual harassment and organizational commitment. METHODS:Quantitative data were collected using a survey design for which 249 employees responded. RESULTS:Structural equation modeling showed that the mediation model was partially supported for the overall sample because mental health was a partial and not full mediator. However, post-hoc analysis revealed that the mediation model was suited to men, but not women. CONCLUSIONS:This study contributes to sexual harassment research by (a) investigating a novel mechanism in the sexual harassment to organizational commitment relationship and (b) highlighting the importance of gender differences when attempting to unravel the sexual harassment causal chain. Implications for organizations regarding the development of sexual harassment policies, complaint procedures, and training are explained.
Keywords: Counterproductive work behaviour, unwelcomed sex-related behaviors, psychological distress, psychological well-being, affective events theory
