Understanding Gender Differences in School Sports Harassment: Patterns, Impacts, and Implications

This study investigates gender-based differences in experiences of harassment within school sports settings, drawing on data collected from 1,067 secondary school students in northeastern France. The research adopts a cross-sectional design using structured questionnaires to assess the prevalence, forms, and psychological impact of harassment. Findings reveal that younger students, particularly tenth graders, exhibit higher levels of fear and anxiety related to sports participation and changing room use. Boys demonstrated greater apprehension than girls, especially in physically vulnerable environments. The study also highlights strong correlations between different types of harassment—physical, verbal, and cyberbullying—with noticeable gender-based variations. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive, gender-sensitive anti-bullying programs that address both in-school and peripheral environments such as transportation and online platforms. These insights call for proactive policies that foster inclusive and psychologically safe environments in school sports contexts.