Bystander Responses to Dating Violence Situations After Bystander Education: Implications for Measuring the Behaviors

Dating violence (DV) is a pressing issue that leads to adverse health outcomes and poses significant threats to victims. Bystanders may witness or evaluate these incidents, and their role is increasingly emphasized as a crucial component of DV response strategies. Accordingly, various educational programs have been developed to modify bystander behaviors to promote their interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore bystanders' behavioral responses to DV incidents following exposure to a film-based video education program, "With-You." We recruited 10 participants who participated in the With-You education program and, subsequently, either heard of or witnessed DV. In-depth individual interviews were conducted to explore the participants' behavioral responses and the underlying mechanisms of these responses, considering educational content and contextual factors. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through thematic analysis using a critical realist approach. Of the 10 participants, 9 reportedly intervened in the DV incidents they encountered after the education. Participants' behavioral responses were categorized into five themes based on the mechanism from the education: (a) responding to victims, (b) applying intervention protocols, (c) responding to perceived threats, (d) perceiving violence, and (e) adhering to education. Factors such as bystanders' characteristics, perceptions of safety, availability for intervention, and relational and situational considerations influenced their behavioral responses. The educational program effectively enhanced bystander intervention behaviors. However, the complexity of these behaviors renders them difficult to categorize simply as successes or failures. Further research is necessary to discuss methods of measuring bystander behavior and address bystander safety considerations in educational programs.