OBJECTIVE: Because of its high prevalence and serious consequences for victims, sexual violence is a significant problem on college campuses. Sexual assault prevention programs based on the bystander intervention model have been shown to be effective; however, current programs are limited in terms of ease of distribution. To address this issue, we developed and evaluated "Take Care," an online bystander intervention program. To our knowledge, this is the first empirical evaluation of an online bystander intervention program designed to prevent sexual violence. METHOD: Ninety-three participants (80.6% female, 19.4% male) recruited from social psychology classes at a mid-size university were randomly assigned to view one of two online programs: Take Care or a control program on study skills. Before viewing the programs, participants completed measures of bystander behaviors and feelings of efficacy for performing such behaviors. Measures were administered again post-intervention and at a two-month follow-up assessment. RESULTS: Participants who viewed Take Care reported greater efficacy for engaging in bystander behaviors at post-treatment and two months following treatment, compared to those who viewed the control program. In addition, participants who viewed Take Care reported performing relatively more bystander behaviors for friends at the two-month follow-up assessment, compared to participants who viewed the control program. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sexual violence prevention programs may be effectively adapted to an online format.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Because of its high prevalence and serious consequences for victims, sexual violence is a significant problem on college campuses. Sexual assault prevention programs based on the bystander intervention model have been shown to be effective; however, current programs are limited in terms of ease of distribution. To address this issue, we developed and evaluated "Take Care," an online bystander intervention program. To our knowledge, this is the first empirical evaluation of an online bystander intervention program designed to prevent sexual violence. METHOD: Ninety-three participants (80.6% female, 19.4% male) recruited from social psychology classes at a mid-size university were randomly assigned to view one of two online programs: Take Care or a control program on study skills. Before viewing the programs, participants completed measures of bystander behaviors and feelings of efficacy for performing such behaviors. Measures were administered again post-intervention and at a two-month follow-up assessment. RESULTS:Participants who viewed Take Care reported greater efficacy for engaging in bystander behaviors at post-treatment and two months following treatment, compared to those who viewed the control program. In addition, participants who viewed Take Care reported performing relatively more bystander behaviors for friends at the two-month follow-up assessment, compared to participants who viewed the control program. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sexual violence prevention programs may be effectively adapted to an online format.
Entities:
Keywords:
bystander behavior; college students; online intervention; prevention programs; sexual violence
Authors: Ann L Coker; Patricia G Cook-Craig; Corrine M Williams; Bonnie S Fisher; Emily R Clear; Lisandra S Garcia; Lea M Hegge Journal: Violence Against Women Date: 2011-06-02
Authors: Angela White; David Kavanagh; Helen Stallman; Britt Klein; Frances Kay-Lambkin; Judy Proudfoot; Judy Drennan; Jason Connor; Amanda Baker; Emily Hines; Ross Young Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2010-12-19 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Mary E Larimer; Christine M Lee; Jason R Kilmer; Patricia M Fabiano; Christopher B Stark; Irene M Geisner; Kimberly A Mallett; Ty W Lostutter; Jessica M Cronce; Maggie Feeney; Clayton Neighbors Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2007-04
Authors: Ryan C Shorey; Brian Wymbs; Liz Torres; Joseph R Cohen; Paula J Fite; Jeff R Temple Journal: Aggress Behav Date: 2017-11-27 Impact factor: 2.917
Authors: Ernest N Jouriles; Renee McDonald; David Rosenfield; Nicole Levy; Kelli Sargent; Christina Caiozzo; John H Grych Journal: Psychol Violence Date: 2015-11-02
Authors: Ramona K C Finnie; Devon L Okasako-Schmucker; Leigh Buchanan; Denise Carty; Holly Wethington; Shawna L Mercer; Kathleen C Basile; Sarah DeGue; Phyllis Holditch Niolon; Jennifer Bishop; Tisha Titus; Samia Noursi; Shavon Artis Dickerson; Daniel Whitaker; Susan Swider; Patrick Remington Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2021-11-10 Impact factor: 6.604
Authors: Ernest N Jouriles; David Rosenfield; Kristen Yule; Kelli S Sargent; Renee McDonald Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2016-01-13 Impact factor: 5.012