Prospective Predictors of Bystander Behavior among Teens in Dating and Sexual Violence Situations

• In Event: Biosocial and Psychological Perspectives on Serious Criminal Offending

Abstract

There is growing consensus among researchers and practitioners that a key to preventing dating and sexual violence is through bystander-focused prevention efforts. To inform the development of such efforts, it is critical that we understand factors that facilitate and hinder bystander action in situations of dating and sexual violence. Although a number of researchers have explored prevalence and correlates of bystander action, the vast majority of this scholarship has focused on college students. Only a handful of studies have focused on bystander action among high school students in situations specific to dating and sexual violence; and none of this has been prospective. The purpose of the current study was to shed light on the prevalence and correlates of bystander action in situations of dating and sexual violence among high school students using a prospective design. Participants were over 3,000 high school students across 25 high public high schools in New England who completed surveys. Multivariate regression models will be used to determine the historical, attitudinal, and social norms variables related to bystander behaviors and intentions in situations of dating and sexual violence among high school youth. Implications for bystander-based prevention programming, measurement, and future research will be discussed.

Author

• Katie M. Edwards, University of New Hampshire