Ruschelle M. Leone

Masculinity and Bystander Attitudes: Moderating Effects of Masculine Gender Role Stress

Objective The purpose of the current study was to examine the bystander decision-making process as a mechanism by which mens adherence to various dimensions of traditional masculinity is associated with their confidence to intervene in sexually aggressive events. Further, this study examined the stress men experience from their attempts to adhere to traditional male gender roles as a moderator of this mediational path. Method Participants (n = 252) completed measures of traditional masculinity, decisional balance (i.e., weighing the pros and cons) for intervening, masculine gender roles stress, and bystander efficacy. Results The belief that men must attain social status was associated with more confidence in mens ability to intervene. This effect was mediated by greater perceived positive consequences for intervention among men high, but not low, in masculine gender role stress. The belief that men should be tough and aggressive was associated with greater perceived negative consequences for intervention and less confidence to intervene. The belief that men should not act in stereotypically feminine ways was directly associated with less confidence for intervention. Conclusions Findings highlight the importance of examining masculinity from a multidimensional perspective to better understand how adherence to various norms differentially influences bystander behavior. These findings may help to inform bystander intervention programming.

Problematic drinking, impulsivity, and physical IPV perpetration: A dyadic analysis.

Alcohol use and impulsivity are 2 known risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). The current study examined the independent and interactive effects of problematic drinking and 5 facets of impulsivity (i.e., negative urgency, positive urgency, sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance) on perpetration of physical IPV within a dyadic framework. Participants were 289 heavy drinking heterosexual couples (total N = 578) with a recent history of psychological and/or physical IPV recruited from 2 metropolitan U.S. cities. Parallel multilevel actor partner interdependence models were used and demonstrated actor problematic drinking, negative urgency, and lack of perseverance were associated with physical IPV. Findings also revealed associations between partner problematic drinking and physical IPV as well as significant Partner Problematic Drinking × Actor Impulsivity (Negative Urgency and Positive Urgency) interaction effects on physical IPV. Findings highlight the importance of examining IPV within a dyadic framework and are interpreted using the I3 metatheoretical model. (PsycINFO Database Record

When is it “manly” to intervene?: Examining the effects of a misogynistic peer norm on bystander intervention for sexual aggression.

Objective: The current study examined effects of the presence of a misogynistic male peer norm and masculine gender role stress (MGRS) on bystander intervention behavior for sexual aggression. Method: Undergraduate men (N = 104) engaged in a novel laboratory paradigm in which they and 3 male confederates watched a female confederate, who reported a strong dislike of sexual content in the media, view a sexually explicit film which they could stop at any time. Prior to the female viewing the film, participants were randomly assigned to an audience manipulation wherein the male confederates set a misogynistic or ambiguous group norm. Results: Zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression models indicated (a) the presence of a misogynistic peer norm decreased the odds of intervening, and (b) higher levels of MGRS significantly increased the rate of bystander intervention among participants exposed to a misogynistic, but not an ambiguous, norm. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of examining situational and individual level factors that may influence prosocial bystander intervention behavior to prevent sexual aggression.

Bystander Intervention to Prevent Sexual Violence: The Overlooked Role of Bystander Alcohol Intoxication

Objectives Bystander training is a promising form of sexual violence (SV) prevention that has proliferated in recent years. Though alcohol commonly accompanies SV, there has been little consideration of the potential impact of bystander alcohol intoxication on SV prevention. The aims of this commentary are to provide an integrative framework for understanding the proximal effect of alcohol on SV intervention, provide recommendations to spark novel research, and guide the application of research to bystander programming efforts. Method This commentary begins with a review of existing bystander training programs and the need to target alcohol use and misuse in these programming efforts. Next, pertinent alcohol and bystander theories and research are drawn from to develop a framework for the proximal effect of alcohol on SV intervention. Results The well-established decision-making model of bystander behavior (Latané & Darley, 1970) and Alcohol Myopia Theory (Josephs & Steele, 1990) are used to identify potential barriers to SV intervention that may be created or exacerbated by alcohol use. Additionally, the ways in which alcohol may facilitate intervention are discussed. Conclusions Specific recommendations are made for elucidating the relationship between alcohol and bystander behavior and testing the impact of alcohol at each level of the presented framework. Methodological and analytic concerns are discussed, including the need for more multi-method studies. Recommendations to guide the application of the present framework to SV prevention programming efforts are provided and consider how the proximal effects of alcohol impact intervention.

Sexual Assault Survivor Reports of Missed Bystander Opportunities: The Role of Alcohol, Sexual Objectification, and Relational Factors

Examination of situations in which bystanders missed intervention opportunities to prevent sexual assault can advance our understanding of how bystanders can prevent sexual assault. The present study utilized an incident-specific approach based on reports from 427 female sexual assault victims (ages 18-25 years) recruited via Mechanical Turk. Results indicate that bystanders had an opportunity to intervene before 23% of sexual assaults, alcohol use in settings with bystanders was widespread (by perpetrators, victims, and bystanders), and several factors were more common in situations involving missed intervention opportunity. Findings provide useful information for continued development of bystander training and new directions in bystander research.

Evidence for multiple classes of sexually violent college men.

Objective: Research on college sexual violence (SV) perpetration suggests there are multiple groups of male perpetrators. It is important to understand distinctions between perpetrator subgroups to determine appropriate prevention strategies, as multiple strategies may be necessary to address multiple types of perpetrators. However, previous studies on subgroups of college perpetrators have relied on theoretically based distinctions, and there is currently no consensus on how to classify perpetrators based on their sexually violent behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to take a data-driven approach to identifying subgroups of sexually violent college men to help clarify (a) the number and size of cohesive subgroups of sexually violent college men and (b) the types of behaviors that characterize each group. Method: 1,982 college men across 5 universities in the United States self-reported their past sexually violent behaviors, using the Sexual Experiences Survey—Short Form Perpetration (Koss et al., 2007). Results: Latent class analysis uncovered evidence for 3 groups: (a) a group unlikely to perpetrate any SV (88.6%); (b) a group likely to perpetrate SV using coercive tactics (verbal coercion or victim intoxication), but unlikely to use force (9.8%); and (c) a group likely to perpetrate the full range of SV (1.5%). Although the coercive tactics group included men unlikely to use force, it included the majority who attempted or completed rape based on legal definitions. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there are multiple, distinct perpetrator subgroups and signal the need for multiple prevention approaches, including approaches that address campus social norms.

Relationship Dissatisfaction, Emotion Regulation, and Physical Intimate Partner Aggression in Heavy-Drinking, Conflict-Prone Couples: A Dyadic Analysis

Relationship dissatisfaction is a known risk factor for intimate partner aggression (IPA). However, the possible effect of weak emotion regulation skills on this association is unclear, particularly in couples at risk for violence who drink alcohol heavily. This study examined the moderating effect of emotion regulation on the association between relationship dissatisfaction and physical IPA perpetration within a dyadic framework. Participants were 583 heavy drinking couples ( N = 1,166) with a recent history of psychological and/or physical IPA recruited from two metropolitan cities in the United States. Multilevel models were used to examine effects within an actor-partner interdependence framework. Gender, Actor dissatisfaction, and Actor and Partner emotion regulation were associated with greater physical IPA perpetration. Actor relationship dissatisfaction predicted significantly greater physical IPA perpetration in Actors characterized by weak versus strong emotion regulation. Furthermore, partner relationship dissatisfaction predicted significantly increased physical IPA perpetration in Actors reporting weak, versus strong, emotion regulation. Gender did not significantly interact with model variables. Utilizing the I3 metatheoretical model of IPA within a dyadic framework, results provide insight into the interactive effects of relationship dissatisfaction and emotion regulation deficits on physical IPA perpetration, particularly in those individuals already at risk for perpetration.

Misogynistic peers, masculinity, and bystander intervention for sexual aggression: Is it really just “locker-room talk?”

The present study utilized a laboratory paradigm to examine the extent to which bystander behavior for sexual aggression is independently and jointly influenced by situational misogynistic peer norms and mens adherence to hegemonic male norms. Participants were a racially diverse college sample of self-identified heterosexual men (N = 104) between the ages of 18-35. Men completed a measure of hegemonic masculinity and engaged in a laboratory paradigm in which they and three male confederates watched a female confederate, who reported a strong dislike of sexual content in the media, view a sexually explicit film which they could stop at any time. Prior to the woman viewing the film, participants were randomly assigned to a peer norm manipulation wherein the male confederates set a misogynistic or ambiguous norm. Results indicated the presence of a misogynistic peer norm decreased the likelihood and speed of intervention. Among men exposed to misogynistic, compared to ambiguous, peer norms, men who strongly endorsed the status male role norm were less likely to display prosocial bystander behavior. Findings indicate that exposure to peers who sexually objectify and disrespect women decreases prosocial bystander intervention. Further, these findings provide evidence that misogynistic peer norms heighten mens adherence to a hegemonic masculinity that men should attain social status, thereby deterring bystander behavior for sexual aggression.