Not sure what I can say : the impact of politicization on rural secondary school mental health professionals' navigation of building sexual harassment
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School mental health professionals frequently encounter occupational challenges stemming from their multifaceted roles within educational institutions. These factors are compounded by a prevailing sense of uncertainty or hesitation regarding mental health services in certain school settings. Additionally, the tightening grip of state censorship laws significantly complicates the navigation of sensitive topics like sexual harassment. This interpretive phenomenological research study aims to explore the experiences of school mental health professionals, including school counselors, school-based licensed professional counselors, and school social workers, as they grapple with the complexities of addressing sexual harassment within school environments. Specifically, the research aims to address two primary inquiries: (1) What are the expectations placed on rural secondary school mental health professionals to address and/or manage sexual harassment? (2) What factors influence secondary school mental health professionals' work in navigating sensitive topics such as sexual harassment working in rural areas? To answer these questions, 13 rural secondary school mental health professionals residing in the same state participated in a singular recorded 45-60-minute semi-structured interview. Findings from this study presented with the 3 following themes: (1) Role Expectations in Addressing Sexual Harassment, (2), Ethical Navigation, and (3) Diverse Perceptions of Sexual Harassment. Within these three themes were present seven subthemes. Within Role Expectations in Addressing Sexual Harassment were the subthemes of (1) Exclusion from Policy Creation, (2) Alignment with Expected Tasks, and (3) Deviation from Expected Tasks. The theme of Ethical Navigation held the three subthemes of (1) School Climate, (2), Influence of School Policy, and (3) Community and Sociocultural Dynamics. Lastly, the theme of Diverse Perceptions of Sexual Harassment holds one subtheme of (1) Other Forms of Harassment and Violence. Implications for School Mental Health Professionals and Policy are discussed.
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Ph. D.