This thesis examines perceptions regarding sexual harassment, racial prejudice and drug misuse among USNA varsity athletes. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that both gender and minority status would be predictive of perceptions regarding these behaviors among midshipmen and midshipmen athletes. The thesis also explores the relationship between indicators of athletic participation and experiences and perceptions regarding sexual harassment, racial prejudice and drug misuse. Data from 2735 midshipmen who responded to the USNA Values Survey and 723 midshipmen-athletes who responded to the NAAA Exit Survey were used for analyses. Results of regression analyses indicate that both gender and ethnicity were significant predictors of sexual harassment and racial prejudice but not drug misuse. Athletic status did significantly influence perceptions. Implications of these findings are discussed for

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-79). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S. in Leadership and Human Resource Development)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2005. / Thesis Advisor(s): Armando Estrada, Linda Mallory. Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-94). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2005. / "June 2005." Title from title screen (viewed 05/10/2006). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-79).

Degree awarded (2003): EdDC, Counseling, Human and Organizational Studies, George Washington University / This study was designed to examine the perception and incidence of sexual harassment and determine the incidence of sexual harassment in relation to girls participating in high school athletics. The similarities and differences of interpretation of various interactions between high school athletes with their male and female athletic coaches were examined. This study also investigated the actual incidence of sexual harassment by male and female high school athletic coaches as reported by female athletes.<p>The study population included male and female athletic coaches currently coaching a female high school athletic team and female college students who participated in high school athletics.</p><p>This researcher, in order to accommodate the study population and research questions, adapted the Sexual Harassment Survey (1995) by Margery J. Holman, Ph.D. Female student athletes and male and female coaches responded to survey questions on demographics and their perceptions and understanding of described behaviors. The student athletes completed an additional section of the survey pertaining to their experience of sexual harassment.</p><p>Descriptive statistics (including frequencies and percentages as well as means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (One-Way Analysis of Variance with a Scheffe test of significance) were used to analyze the data.</p><p>A comparison of the responses of all three groups (female athletes, male coaches and female coaches) to questions pertaining to perceptions of sexual harassment indicated agreement among the groups in the identification of inappropriate behaviors. However, there was a significant difference in the level of agreement for seven described behaviors. In general, male and female coaches agreed with each other more often than with female athletes when identifying the behaviors associated with sexual harassment. The investigation of incidence indicated that female athletes experienced more behaviors associated with sexual harassment from male coaches than from female coaches. Understanding that the same behaviors were identified by female athletes, male coaches and female coaches, it can be concluded that inappropriate behavior was consistently identified, but the identification of sexual harassment does not necessarily diminish the incidence of sexual harassment.</p> / Advisory Committee: Dr. Lori Lefcourt, Dr. Chris Erickson, Dr. Patricia Sullivan, Dr. Janet C. Heddesheimer, Dr. Donald C. Linkowski (Chair)