Uniformed but Unprotected: Resilience as a Survival Strategy for Female Police Officers Sexual-Induced Harassment and Psychological Distress

Abstract The study investigated the relationship between resilience, sexual harassment, and psychological distress among 504 female police officers in Nigeria. The participants, aged between 24 and 53 with an average age of 35.09, were selected from different police formations and divisions. The study used three measures to collect data: the Sexual Harassment Inventory (SHI), the Connor-Davidson Brief Resilience Scale, and the Psychological Distress Scale. It employed a cross-sectional design, and the data was analyzed using the Hayes Process Macro. The study found a positive relationship between sexual harassment and psychological distress. Although no direct link was found between resilience and psychological distress, the study discovered that resilience moderated the relationship between sexual harassment and psychological distress in female police officers. The study implies that resilience is a vital resource that enables sexually harassed female officers to cope with psychological distress. Female police officers need education on developing resilience to manage work-related stress effectively. Key words: Sexual Harassment, Psychological Distress, Resilience, Female, Police Officers