The Moderating Role of Age and Gender in the Relationship between Emotional Analysis of factors underlying online sexual harassment in female adolescents

Female adolescents are at risk of online sexual harassment as they are in a period of sexual identity formation and sexual exploration. Thus, studying online sexual harassment in female adolescents can contribute to preventing this type of abuse and reducing its possible consequences. To this end, the present study aimed to analyze the factors underlying online sexual harassment in female adolescents. This study was conducted using a qualitative and descriptive phenomenological approach. The participants (n = 15) were selected through purposive sampling from 15-19-year-old female adolescents in Tehran who had a history of online sexual harassment at least once. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews until the data were theoretically saturated. Two additional interviews were conducted to ensure data saturation. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method with MAXQDA-2020 software. Data analysis revealed 20 subthemes, 11 main themes (intrapersonal psychological factors, interpersonal psychological factors, the role of culture, the influence of the media, the role of peers, the role of the family, unrestricted online interactions, the feeling of no identity in cyberspace, the role of people online, unawareness, and inadequate training), and 4 core themes (predisposing psychological factors, predisposing social and cultural factors, the role of cyberspace structure, and unawareness and inadequate training). The insights from this study implied that people close to adolescents can play a big role in preventing and stopping online sexual harassment by providing support, giving information, and responsible reporting. Moreover, professionals can prevent online sexual harassment in female adolescents by developing effective training programs based on the factors underlying online sexual harassment.