Risk factors and outcomes of chronic sexual harassment during the transition to college: Examination of a two-part growth mixture model

- We examined trajectories of sexual harassment (SH) victimization in undergraduates.
- SH decreases upon college entry, but slowly increases across the first two years.
- SH is experienced either Chronically or Infrequently by college students.
- Being female, White and a sexual minority were related to experiencing Chronic SH.
- Chronic SH predicted subsequent depression, anxiety, binge drinking, and marijuana use.

A two-part latent growth mixture model was implemented in order to examine heterogeneity in the growth of sexual harassment (SH) victimization in college and university students, and the extent to which SH class membership explains substance use and mental health outcomes for certain groups of students. Demographic risk factors, mental health, and substance use were examined as they related to chronically experienced SH victimization. Incoming freshmen students (N = 2855; 58% female; 54% White) completed a survey at five time points. In addition to self-reporting gender, race, and sexual orientation, students completed measures of sexual harassment, anxiety, depression, binge drinking, and marijuana use. Overall, self-reported SH declined upon college entry, although levels rebounded by the third year of college. Results also supported a two-class solution (Infrequent and Chronic) for SH victimization. Being female, White, and a sexual minority were linked to being classified into the Chronic (relative to the Infrequent) SH class. In turn, Chronic SH class membership predicted greater anxiety, depression, and substance use, supporting a mediational model.