WORKPLACE HARASSMENT IN THE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT: EXPERIENCES OF MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Moral harassment in the university environment, especially in medical courses, constitutes a form of psychological violence characterized by repetitive, hostile, and destabilizing behaviors. Its occurrence is favored by rigid hierarchical structures, intense emotional demands, and asymmetrical power relations typical of medical training. This study aimed to identify the experiences of moral harassment situations among medical students at a higher education institution in southwestern Goiás. The study included 284 medical students of both sexes, aged between 18 and 45 years (M = 23.53; SD = 4.41). Data collection took place between April and September 2025, using a sociodemographic questionnaire and a questionnaire on experiences of violence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and association tests (Pearson's chi-square and effect measures). The main results showed that, although 71.8% of students stated they had never suffered violence, 51.76% reported having been harassed, indicating difficulty in recognizing harassment as a form of violence. The most frequent aggressors were professors (11.3%) and colleagues (5.6%), and 58.5% of participants did not consider the institution a safe environment. Furthermore, 84.85% stated they were unaware of formal reporting channels, highlighting institutional weaknesses in the prevention and confrontation of violence. There was an association between the course cycle and the experience of harassment, with a higher prevalence in the clinical cycle. The findings reinforce the need to strengthen support policies, educational strategies, and accessible reporting mechanisms, promoting an ethical, safe, and humanized environment for medical training.