Assessing Bystander Behavior Intentions Toward Friends to Prevent Dating Violence: Development of the Bystander Behavior Intentions-Friends Scale Through Concept Mapping and Exploratory Factor Analysis

Abstract

Bystander behavior interventions aim to reduce violence by encouraging individuals to intervene in a safe and effective manner when they hear or see circumstances that could lead to violence. This study used a participatory-based approach to develop a 9-item scale to measure bystander behaviors to prevent dating violence among friends. Predominantly, female students (N = 37) on a college campus in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States were asked to define bystander behaviors. Responses were thematically sorted and ranked according to importance in preventing dating violence and feasibility by 12 participants. Psychometric testing of intentions to perform the behavior was done based on responses from an additional 288 respondents. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine whether bystander behaviors directed at friends to prevent dating violence was a uni- or multidimensional construct, which has not been done to date in the available literature. Results demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure with strong factor loadings (above .71) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha .92); items focused on primary and secondary prevention behaviors toward friends. These findings provide a reliable and single construct scale to assess college-age women's response to witnessing the victimization of a friend. These findings can facilitate future program evaluations.

Raising a Red Flag on Dating Violence: Evaluation of a Low-Resource, College-Based Bystander Behavior Intervention Program

“…The authors used IBM to guide this evaluation and included items from each of the main theory domains. All measures were focused on behaviors toward friends, which students reported as being more important and feasible to perform (Borsky, McDonnell, Rimal, & Turner, 2016) and is also consistent with prior research (Kleinsasser, Jouriles, McDonald, & Rosenfield, 2015;Levine, Cassidy, Brazier, & Reicher, 2002). The behaviors focused on actions students can take to prevent victimization of dating violence.…”

“…Bystander behaviors. This scale includes nine core behavioral actions (see the appendix), ranging from telling friends that they deserve to be treated well by their partners to letting friends know when one is concerned about them to taking action by removing friends from uncomfortable situations (Borsky et al, 2016). Respondents were asked to indicate if they had engaged in the actions within the last 3 months, with the option of responding "wasn't in the situation."…”

TakeCARE, a Video to Promote Bystander Behavior on College Campuses: Replication and Extension

“…First, there was a decline in reported bystander behavior from baseline to follow-up in the two TakeCARE groups and the control group, but the decline in the TakeCARE groups was significantly smaller than the decline in the control group. Although other studies evaluating bystander behavior on college campuses over time have also reported declines (e.g., Gidycz, Orchowski, & Berkowitz, 2011; Jouriles, McDonald, et al, 2016, Study 1; Kleinsasser et al, 2014; Moynihan et al, 2015), some studies report increases in student bystander behavior after receiving bystander training (e.g., Borsky, McDonnell, Rimal, & Turner, 2016; Jouriles, McDonald, et al, 2016, Study 2; McMahon, Winter et al, 2015). Similarly, some studies report stability in levels of bystander behavior over time for students in control conditions who do not receive bystander training (e.g., Elias-Lambert & Black, 2016; Gidycz et al, 2011; Jouriles, McDonald, et al, 2016, Study 2).…”

‘The edge to him was really, really nasty’: abusive tactics used against informal supporters of domestic violence survivors

“…(12,13). Bystanders are regularly considered to have a degree of detachment and objectivity in the situation, from which they are able to make rational decisions based on the particular circumstances, but it is important to note that Latane and Darley's original ideas, in the 1960s, about decision-making, highlighted that people's responses might have consequences for themselves, as well as for the victim (14).…”