Effectiveness of an improvisational theatre-based intervention for the prevention of workplace sexual harassment

Abstract

Abstract Workplace sexual harassment remains widespread. The effectiveness of traditional training approaches is mixed and inconsistent, and research is needed to identify effective prevention measures. The present study provides an evaluation of an improvisational theatre-based intervention designed to prevent workplace sexual harassment. We used a randomized wait-list control design to examine the short-term and two-month effects of a 90-minute improvisational theatre intervention among 162 university students preparing for organizational internships. Results showed that participating in the intervention increased participants’ general confidence to respond to sexual harassment at work in the short term, and increased willingness to intervene, as well as reduced hostile sexist attitudes in the long-term. Moreover, inclusive tendencies to improve the ability to identify subtle sexual harassment behaviors and increase intentions to intervene in such situations occurred in the short term, while benevolent sexism and sexual harassment myth acceptance remained unchanged. No evidence for backlash was found. Together, these results suggest that improvisational theatre can lead to favorable and partly durable changes in outcomes relevant for the prevention of sexual harassment, while also emphasizing the need for complementary prevention measures to achieve broader attitudinal changes.