Effectiveness of a Bystander Intervention Program to Increase Bystander Behaviors Across Latent Risk Groups of High Schoolers
Abstract
Bystander intervention programs have established efficacy to increase bystander behaviors to prevent interpersonal violence (IPV). Little research has investigated intervention efficacy among latent risk classes among high school students. Data from a five-year randomized control trial were used to conduct multigroup path analyses to assess the association between type of training received and bystander outcomes moderated by risk groups identified via latent profile analysis (LPA). LPA was used to identify risk based on six indicators related to violence exposure, association with aggressive friends, and alcohol use. Bystander training received was the primary independent variable characterized as: no training, overview speech alone, or skills training. Outcomes included (a) observed bystander behaviors; (b) reactive bystander behaviors; or (c) proactive bystander behaviors. Three risk groups were identified via LPA: low risk, moderate risk witnesses of IPV, and highest risk victims and perpetrators. Of the bystander trainings received, overview speeches only increased reactive bystander behaviors among low risk students. The skills training was effective at increasing most bystander outcomes among all risk groups, with the largest effect sizes observed among the highest risk victims and perpetrators profile. Findings suggest that tailoring or modifying bystander training based on the risk profiles of youth may lead to greater potential to increase bystander behaviors to reduce risk of violence. Specifically, overview speech trainings should be targeted to low risk youth, while skills training primarily delivered to higher risk youth. These skills trainings could incorporate content related to trauma-informed care as well as associations with alcohol use, which may enhance their effectiveness further.
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Biographies
Annelise Mennicke, MSW, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research focuses on promoting environments that are free from violence by developing and evaluating comprehensive, inclusive violence prevention programs.
Heather M. Bush, PhD, is professor and chair of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. Her current research focuses on utilizing statistical methodology and data visualization to better understand complex relationships.
Candace Brancato, M.S., is a Data Scientist in the Department of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky.
Gabrielle Haley, BS, is an undergraduate Psychology Major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests include bystander intervention in relation to college students, and technology and relationships among young adults.
Erin Meehan, MSW is a Research Project Coordinator at UNC Charlotte and an Evaluation Manager at Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. She received her BSW from UNC Charlotte in 2020 and her MSW from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021. Erin’s research interests include interpersonal and family violence perpetration with special interest in primary prevention and bystander intervention.
Ann L. Coker, PhD, MPH, is a professor of epidemiology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. She holds the Verizon Wireless Endowed Chair in the Center for Research on Violence Against Women. Her current research focuses on prevention of partner and sexual violence and interventions to reduce the impact of these forms of violence.
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Article first published online: August 31, 2023
Issue published: January 2024
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