Do Boys and Girls Evaluate Sexual Harassment Differently? The Role of Negative Emotions and Moral Disengagement

Adolescents' perception and recognition of sexual harassment (SH) are shaped by several psychosocial variables, including gender norms, emotional responses, and ideological beliefs (such as sexism). This study specifically aimed to investigate the mediating roles of moral disengagement and emotional responses in the relationship between tolerance of SH and recognition of harassment scenarios, while considering gender as a moderator. The sample included 380 high-school students (55.3% female, 44.7% male), aged between 14 and 18 years (M_age = 15.71, SD_age = 0.87). No significant direct association was found between attitudes toward sexually harassing behaviour (TSHI) and recognition of potential harassing scenario (assessed by the Sexual Harassment Definitions Questionnaire-SHDO). However, TSHI was indirectly associated with SHDO through two distinct mediational pathways. On the one hand, higher tolerance of sexual harassment was associated with increased moral disengagement, which in turn was related to lower recognition of SH. On the other hand, it was associated with reduced negative emotional reactions, which were in turn associated with greater recognition of harassment. Additionally, gender differences emerged: females demonstrated greater ability to identify harassment scenarios and reported stronger negative emotional reactions. Overall, these findings highlight the role of psychosocial mechanisms in shaping adolescents' recognition of harassment situations.