성별에 따른 성희롱 심각성인식의 차이: 피해경험에 의한 피해자비난의 조절된 매개효과 검증

This study aimed to find the mechanism of gender difference in perceived seriousness of sexual harassment. In particular, it was focused whether the victimization experience causes meaningful change in perceived seriousness. Discovering the change in perception is likely to be the indispensable condition to come up with effective solutions. To this end, the moderated mediating effect of victim blame by victimization experience was tested based on the social identity theory. Data analyses of 1,150 employees in public and private institutions showed three main results. First, male workers perceived the seriousness of sexual harassment less seriously than their female counterparts did, which was partially mediated by the extent of victim blame. Second, the effect of victim blame on perceived seriousness was moderated by victimization experience. Third, the moderated mediating effect of victim blame by victimization experience was found to be significant. It indicated that the impact of gender (social) identity on perceived seriousness was languished due to the new social identity of victim. The perception about sexual harassment is the result of dynamic interactions of diverse social identities, and is closely related to the self-esteem of each individual. Thus, the meaningless approach to blame a specific gender group should come to a standstill. Instead, greater efforts should be exerted to understand the sentiment of various groups including victim.