A Qualitative Meta-synthesis of Male Nurses’ Experiences of Sexual Harassment in the Nursing Profession

This study aimed to synthesize the qualitative evidence on male nurses’ experiences of sexual harassment in nursing settings through a meta-synthesis. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and major Korean databases (RISS, KISS, DBpia). Following Noblit and Hare’s seven-phase meta-synthesis method, two qualitative studies were included. Five overarching themes emerged: (1) marginalization and identity threats within a female-dominated organizational culture, (2) silenced victimization under power relations, (3) invisibility of harassment and the norm of silence, (4) journey toward balance and psychological recovery, and (5) the need for institutional transformation. Findings highlight that male nurses’ experiences of sexual harassment are not isolated incidents but structural phenomena shaped by gendered organizational hierarchies and socio-cultural norms. This meta-synthesis contributes to broadening the discourse on workplace sexual harassment beyond female-centered narratives and provides foundational insights for gender-sensitive prevention and response systems in nursing organizations.