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Park S, Woo H, Kim SH. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Bystander's Barriers to Intervene in Gender-Based Violence and the Role of Failed Prior Attempts. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:1998-2011. [PMID: 37902582 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231204887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive public health issue that harms victims. Bystanders' interventions are crucial in preventing the risks of GBV; however, numerous barriers impede their willingness and behaviors to intervene. As a part of efforts to thwart these barriers, this study used a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify such barriers and assess their impact on bystanders' engagement to intervene. The researchers explored academic databases and included 38 studies in the analysis; we extracted and coded the identified barriers (e.g., lack of responsibility, rape myth) and allocated them to six domains: failure to notice, failure to perceive risk, failure to take responsibility for engaging, lack of bystander efficacy/competency, failure to take an action, and failure of previous intervention attempts. We calculated the overall and domain-specific effect sizes (ES) and performed moderator analysis. The overall ES of the barriers identified in the review were small but statistically significant. The most potent bystander intervention barrier domain was failed previous intervention attempts; the greatest specific barriers therein were negative emotions and feelings of uncertainty after engaging in bystander behaviors. University/college populations were more vulnerable to barriers to intervention than community members. Moreover, the barriers were more prohibitive in incidents of violence against women and sexual assaults than in intimate partner violence. Bystander-focused programs that address negative emotions and feelings arising from prior intervention experiences are needed to foster continued bystander engagement and assistance in GBV; moreover, tailored program content should also be provided for groups most vulnerable to intervention barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyunji Woo
- Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
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2
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McMahon S. How Helpful Is Bystander Intervention? Perspectives of Dating and Sexual Violence Survivors. Violence Against Women 2024; 30:575-597. [PMID: 35989676 DOI: 10.1177/10778012221117596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While bystander intervention education has demonstrated promise as a strategy to reduce dating and sexual violence (DSV) on campus, little is known about whether survivors on whose behalf the interventions take place find these helpful. This paper uses qualitative, in-depth interviews with 33 DSV survivors to explore their perspectives on bystander intervention. Results indicate that while some interventions were identified as helpful, especially those that provided support to the survivor, many were not helpful enough or even harmful. Further work is needed to understand the consequences of bystander action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McMahon
- Center for Research on Ending Violence, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Hoxmeier JC, McMahon S, Cusano J. Bystander Intervention for the Prevention of Campus Sexual Violence: Opportunity, Frequency of Action, and Consequences for Confronting Those at Risk of Perpetration. Violence Against Women 2023:10778012231185546. [PMID: 37415538 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231185546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined students' (Campus 1, n = 1,153; Campus 2, n = 1,113) experiences with four situations of direct confrontation of those at risk for sexual assault perpetration. The most reported opportunity was to confront those making false statements about sexual assault; many students reported more than one opportunity to intervene in the past year. Bystanders intervened most of the time across the four situations examined in this study. The most reported consequence of intervening was that no further harm was caused. More nuanced measures can offer practitioners further information to tailor sexual violence prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill C Hoxmeier
- College of Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Sarah McMahon
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Julia Cusano
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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4
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de Waal MM, Christ C, Messman TL, Dekker JJM. Changes in Risk Perception After Sexual Victimization: Are We Following the Right Track? JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP11699-NP11719. [PMID: 31096834 PMCID: PMC9251736 DOI: 10.1177/0886260519848790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sexual abuse is a major public health concern with detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. Several studies have reported that victims of sexual abuse have a decreased ability to recognize risk in potentially threatening situations compared with nonvictims, although others were not able to replicate this finding. In addition, although emotion dysregulation has been linked to risk perception and sexual victimization, results have been contradictory. To strengthen the theoretical framework needed for the development of interventions to reduce women's likelihood of sexual assault, it is crucial to further examine the role of emotion dysregulation in relation to sexual victimization history and risk perception. The aim of the current study was to examine cross-sectional associations between sexual victimization, emotion regulation difficulties, and risk perception. In our sample of 276 female college students, 40% reported lifetime sexual victimization, 14% reported recent sexual victimization, and 12% reported childhood sexual abuse. In contrast to our hypothesis, we did not find risk perception to be related to lifetime sexual victimization, childhood sexual victimization, or recent sexual victimization. In addition, we did not find evidence for the expected relationship between sexual victimization, risk perception, and emotion regulation difficulties. The discussion of the current study specifically highlights the need for a clear conceptualization of risk perception and provides recommendations for future studies. More sophisticated measurement methods could lead to a higher applicability of findings to real-life situations. The potential relationships between victimization, risk perception, and emotion dysregulation need further clarification to reach the ultimate goal of contributing to the prevention of victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen M de Waal
- Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carolien Christ
- Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, GGZ inGeest, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jack J M Dekker
- Department of Research, Arkin Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Nazareno E, Vidu A, Merodio G, Valls R. Men Tackling Isolating Gender Violence to Fight against Sexual Harassment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:1924. [PMID: 35206111 PMCID: PMC8871570 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19041924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Scientific literature has shown that both suffering gender-based violence and taking a stand against it could provoke severe retaliation from bystanders, including negative consequences on health. Together with some women, several men-defined as New Alternative Masculinities-have also contributed to fighting against sexual violence in several contexts, also suffering dramatic consequences, known as Isolating Gender Violence (IGV). This article fills the gap on inquiring how men suffering IGV due to intervening in supporting survivors has affected the men's health. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with men from different contexts and countries and men of different social profiles. The findings reveal how men's health is better protected when they build networks of support while overcoming the fear of retaliation in achieving to empower direct survivors. In addition, the results recognize men as crucial actors in the struggle against GBV and overcoming IGV, as women potentially do. This may inspire other men to intervene and break the silence regarding GBV in societies and institutions, as it shows that men and women together are needed to fight against GBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Nazareno
- History Department, University Federal of Goiás, Goiânia 74690, Brazil
| | - Ana Vidu
- Sociology Department, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Guiomar Merodio
- Department Research Methods and Assesment in Education I, UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rosa Valls
- Department of Theory and History of Education, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
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Are the Bystanders Okay? Exploring the Impact of Bystander Behavior for Self-directed Violence. J Adolesc Health 2022; 70:298-304. [PMID: 34625376 PMCID: PMC8792154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to understand the range of emotions reported by youth bystanders, as well as the reactions they received from the at-risk individual engaging in self-directed violence. METHODS A national sample of 1,031 youth and young adults (aged 13-23 years) was recruited online between November 27, 2020 and December 4, 2020. Sixty-two percent (n = 638) reported intervening with someone engaging in self-directed violence and comprise the analytical sample. Suicidal ideation, nonsuicidal self-injury, and suicide attempts were examined separately. RESULTS One in five (21.9%) who engaged in bystanding behavior with someone attempting suicide felt really good about their helping; 42.9% said they felt somewhat good. About half (51%) said that the at-risk person responded negatively, however. Similar percentages were noted for bystanders of people with suicidal ideation and nonsuicidal self-injury. Singularly positive responses from the at-risk person were associated with increased odds of the bystander feeling somewhat/really good about their decision to help and feeling like what they did really helped. For every additional type of bystander behavior, the odds of feeling good about helping increased. Bystander behaviors most consistently associated with increased odds of feeling good about helping were "encouraging the person to talk to their family" and "telling the person they were important to them." CONCLUSIONS Future research should work to better understand what forms of bystander behavior are most successful at protecting at-risk individuals, how one's perceptions of their bystander behavior change over time, and how effective forms of helping relate to how they are perceived.
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Banyard V, Moschella E, Jouriles E, Grych J. Exploring action coils for bystander intervention: Modeling bystander consequences. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2021; 69:283-289. [PMID: 31566479 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1665052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Individuals who take action to reduce sexual assault can experience a range of positive and negative consequences as a result of helping. This study examined how different types of consequences explain variation in confidence and intent to help. Participants: Nine hundred sixty-six individuals who reported intervening in a situation involving interpersonal violence; approximately half were recruited from university psychology courses and half through Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Data were collected from September to December of 2016. Methods: Participants completed measures of consequences related to helping, bystander efficacy, and intent to help. Results: Positive reactions from victims and other individuals who witnessed the situation were related to higher efficacy and intent, while negative reactions were associated with lower efficacy and intent. Actionists' personal feelings (ie, positive and negative) about their behavior mediated these relationships. Conclusions: Bystander training on campuses should address the range of potential consequences actionists face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Banyard
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Elizabeth Moschella
- Prevention Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Ernest Jouriles
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - John Grych
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Banyard VL, Rizzo AJ, Bencosme Y, Cares AC, Moynihan MM. How Community and Peer Perceptions Promote College Students' Pro-Social Bystander Actions to Prevent Sexual Violence. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2021; 36:3855-3879. [PMID: 29862886 DOI: 10.1177/0886260518777557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of sexual violence crimes on U.S. college campuses is prompting institutions of higher education to increasingly invest in centers to support survivors and programs to prevent the violence before it happens. Understanding bystanders to sexual violence and what may motivate them to step in and help is a promising prevention strategy. The purpose of this study was to understand how potential active bystanders' (first-year college students) perceptions of community (including a sense of one's influence in the community and positive peer norms for helping) and individual beliefs about self (including sense of responsibility and self-efficacy) affect their self-reports of performing bystander behavior to address sexual violence risks. Participants were 948 students at two different universities (one a rural, primarily residential campus and the other an urban, mostly commuter campus) in the northeastern United States. Regression and path analysis quantitative results suggest that individual-level characteristics may mediate some of the impact that community-level norms and perceptions have on bystander outcomes, explaining some of the mixed findings in previous research. Prevention strategies should work to change community norms and perceptions of mattering and perceptions of community influence in addition to the more traditional focus on individual-level violence specific attitudes.
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Xue J, Hu R, Zhang W, Zhao Y, Zhang B, Liu N, Li SC, Logan J. Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality as a Tool for Studying Bystander Behaviors in Interpersonal Violence: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e25322. [PMID: 33587044 PMCID: PMC7920754 DOI: 10.2196/25322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To provide participants with a more real and immersive intervening experience, virtual reality (VR) and/or augmented reality (AR) technologies have been integrated into some bystander intervention training programs and studies measuring bystander behaviors. Objective We focused on whether VR or AR can be used as a tool to enhance training bystanders. We reviewed the evidence from empirical studies that used VR and/or AR as a tool for examining bystander behaviors in the domain of interpersonal violence research. Methods Two librarians searched for articles in databases, including APA PsycInfo (Ovid), Criminal Justice Abstracts (EBSCO), Medline (Ovid), Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ProQuest), Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), and Scopus till April 15, 2020. Studies focusing on bystander behaviors in conflict situations were included. All study types (except reviews) written in English in any discipline were included. Results The search resulted in 12,972 articles from six databases, and the articles were imported into Covidence. Eleven studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All 11 articles examined the use of VR as a tool for studying bystander behaviors. Most of the studies were conducted in US young adults. The types of interpersonal violence were school bullying, dating violence, sexual violence/assault, and soccer-associated violence. VR technology was used as an observational measure and bystander intervention program. We evaluated the different uses of VR for bystander behaviors and noted a lack of empirical evidence for AR as a tool. We also discuss the empirical evidence regarding the design, effectiveness, and limitations of implementing VR as a tool in the reviewed studies. Conclusions The reviewed results have implications and recommendations for future research in designing and implementing VR/AR technology in the area of interpersonal violence. Future studies in this area may further contribute to the use of VR as an observational measure and explore the potential use of AR to study bystander behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xue
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ran Hu
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wenzhao Zhang
- Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yaxi Zhao
- Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bolun Zhang
- Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nian Liu
- Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sam-Chin Li
- University of Toronto Libraries, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Judith Logan
- University of Toronto Libraries, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Moschella EA, Banyard VL. Reactions to Actions: Exploring How Types of Bystander Action Are Linked to Positive and Negative Consequences. J Prim Prev 2020; 41:585-602. [PMID: 33215241 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-020-00618-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sexual and dating violence (SDV) are growing public health problems in the United States. Prevention programs have sought to engage potential bystanders so they can safely and effectively intervene in situations involving SDV. However, the ability of these programs to prepare bystanders may be limited if they do not address the possible outcomes of their actions. Few studies have examined positive and negative consequences of bystander action, and only one has examined how various types of action impact these consequences. The purpose of our study was to explore how specific types of bystander actions and their number of actions were related to positive and negative consequences. We recruited participants (N = 615) through Amazon's Mechanical Turk and a university subject pool, all of whom were between the ages of 18 and 24. Participants described the type of action they took in response to risk for SDV (i.e., harassing comments, dating violence, unwanted sexual advances, and controlling behavior). We performed a content analysis on participants' written responses about the type of action taken. New measures of bystander consequences were used to examine bystander feelings and reactions of others (e.g., the victim, perpetrator). A range of action types were identified (i.e., direct, distract, distance, delegate, and physical action). Of note, direct action toward the perpetrator was related to more negative feelings and responses, whereas distract and distance action were associated with more positive feelings and responses from others. Further, taking multiple actions (as opposed to a single one) was related to more positive feelings and responses from others. Implications for research and practice are discussed, with a specific focus on prevention programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Moschella
- Prevention Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 9 Madbury Road, Suite #405, Durham, NH, 03824, USA.
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Bush HM, Bell SC, Coker AL. Measurement of bystander actions in violence intervention evaluation: Opportunities and Challenges. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2019; 6:208-214. [PMID: 32864294 PMCID: PMC7451119 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-019-00196-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review discusses design and methodological challenges specific to measuring bystander actions in the evaluation of bystander-based violence prevention programming. "Bystanders" are defined as people who are present immediately before, during and/or after a violent event, but are not a perpetrator nor the intended victim. Bystander-based violence prevention programs seek to prevent or mitigate violent events by empowering bystanders to intervene on acts of violence and social norms that promulgate violence. RECENT FINDINGS Effective bystander-based violence prevention programs demonstrate increased bystander intentions, actions, and attitudes [Bringing in the Bystander;12 iSCREAM;33; The Men's Project;20 and Green Dot,3] lowered violence acceptance scores19,21,22,23,36 and reduced sexual violence perpetration and victimization.3••,6,20 However, bystander-based violence prevention programs are methodologically challenging to evaluate, due to the wide diversity of programs being implemented and the multifactorial and contextual nature of acts of violence. SUMMARY Measures of bystander actions temporally-connected to specific, high-risk opportunities are recommended approaches to capture bystander experiences and address the methodological challenges in measuring bystander actions and evaluating violence prevention programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Bush
- University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, KY USA
| | - Samuel C Bell
- University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, 800 Rose St., Pavilion H, Room C359, Lexington, KY USA 40536
| | - Ann L Coker
- University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, 800 Rose St., Pavilion H, Room C361, Lexington, KY USA 40536
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12
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Jouriles EN, McDonald R, Rosenfield D, Sargent KS. Increasing bystander behavior to prevent adolescent relationship violence: A randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol 2018; 87:3-15. [PMID: 30474990 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present research reports a randomized controlled trial evaluating TakeCARE, a video bystander program designed to help prevent relationship and sexual violence among high school students. METHOD High school students (n = 165) were randomly assigned to view TakeCARE or a control video. Students completed self-report measures of bystander behavior and bystander self-efficacy before viewing the videos. One week later, students completed the self-efficacy measure and were observed in virtual reality simulations of situations that offered opportunities to engage in bystander behavior. Measures were readministered at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Compared to students who viewed the control video, students who viewed TakeCARE self-reported more bystander behavior at the 6-month follow-up. They were also observed to engage in greater levels of bystander behavior in the virtual reality simulations at postintervention and 6-month follow-up. Self-efficacy partially mediated this effect on observed bystander behavior. CONCLUSION Video bystander programs like TakeCARE might be an effective addition to high school efforts to prevent relationship and sexual violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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