Theory of Planned Behavior and Bystander Intentions to Prevent Sexual Assault: The Role of Gender
Open AccessCollege students have been encouraged to engage in bystander intervention in order to prevent sexual assault. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provides one possible framework for understanding bystander interventions, which states that intention to act can be predicted by peoples’ behavioral beliefs (including both instrumental and affective beliefs), social norms, and perceived behavioral control. While previous bystander intervention literature has examined many of these constructs, there seems to be no research on instrumental beliefs, also called response efficacy beliefs, specific to bystander intervention. Additionally, bystander intervention literature suggests that clear differences exist in these predictor variables between men and women. This study tested a model of TPB of bystander intervention in which response efficacy, peer norms, and self-efficacy beliefs predict bystander intentions, and an augmented model of TPB, in which gender is posited to moderate the effect of peer norms and self-efficacy. Participants (N = 243) were college students recruited from the George Washington University Psychology Department’s subject pool. They completed several self-report measures measuring bystander response efficacy beliefs, perceived peer norms, and bystander self-efficacy beliefs, as well as a measure of their intentions to intervene as a bystander to prevent sexual assault. Hypotheses were tested using analyses of covariance. Results showed that all three predictor variables – response efficacy, perceived peer norms, and self-efficacy – were significantly and positively related to bystander intentions. However, response efficacy beliefs were no longer significant when included in the full, augmented model (including interactions) of TPB. Additionally, there were no significant interactive effects between gender and self-efficacy or between gender and perceived peer norms on bystander intentions. These results have implications for future interventions aimed at reducing sexual assault on college campuses. By better understanding the behavioral beliefs that impact college students’ reported intentions to be an active bystander, researchers can help tailor interventions to prevent sexual assault in these communities.
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