A Qualitative Analysis of Bystander Intervention Among Heavy-Drinking College Men

This study qualitatively examines how heavy-drinking college men conceptualize bystander intervention. Twelve semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with college men reporting past-month heavy drinking and sexual activity within the past 2 months. NVivo software was used to conduct a t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Violence against women 2018-08, Vol.24 (10), p.1207-1231
Main Authors: Oesterle, Daniel W., Orchowski, Lindsay M., Moreno, Oswaldo, Berkowitz, Alan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Aggressiveness
Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Alcohol use
Bravery
Bystander Effect
Bystanders
College students
Cues
Drinking behavior
Humans
Intervention
Interviews
Interviews as Topic - methods
Intoxication
Male
Men
Myopia
New England
Prevention
Prevention programs
Qualitative Research
Rape
Sex crimes
Sexual behavior
Sexual development
Students - psychology
Students - statistics & numerical data
Universities - organization & administration
Universities - statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
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Summary:This study qualitatively examines how heavy-drinking college men conceptualize bystander intervention. Twelve semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with college men reporting past-month heavy drinking and sexual activity within the past 2 months. NVivo software was used to conduct a thematic analysis. Following the stage model of bystander intervention, men in this sample described situations—predominantly in drinking contexts—when other men made sexual advances toward women who were not interested or who were intoxicated as opportunities for intervention. Men reported relying on women’s expression of verbal and nonverbal cues as a sign that a situation was problematic, and warranting intervention. Men reported a desire to protect women from experiencing a sexual assault, or to protect a peer from being accused of rape. Men perceived themselves to be more likely to assume responsibility for intervening when the situation involved someone they knew, especially a female friend. A variety of intervention strategies were also reported. Preliminary support was offered for considering alcohol myopia as a barrier to intervention. The interviews also provided preliminary support for further investigation into the role of alcohol expectancies regarding “liquid courage” and “aggression” as factors that can influence bystander intervention when intoxicated. Implications for future research and the development of tailored sexual assault prevention efforts for heavy-drinking men are discussed.
ISSN:1077-8012
1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/1077801218781931