Psychological Predictors of Bystanders’ Intention to Help Cyberbullying Victims Among College Students: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as an explanation for bystanders’ intention to help cyberbullying victims among college students. Participants completed an online survey in which their intention, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control toward helping cyberbullying victims were assessed. In addition to these traditional TPB variables, empathy toward cyberbullying victims and anticipated regret from not helping victims were included in the model. Results showed that empathy and anticipated regret significantly predicted intention to help cyberbullying victims over and above the traditional TPB variables. Results also showed that gender altered how traditional TPB variables, empathy, and anticipated regret predict bystander’s intention to help cyberbullying victims: Empathy and anticipated regret were most robust predictors for males and females, respectively. These results suggest that the TPB is a useful theoretical framework for understanding bystanders’ intention to help cyberbullying victims. Implications for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies are discussed.

The Theory of Planned Behavior & Bystander Intention: Differences Based on Gender and Heavy Episodic Drinking

“…Because sexual assault exists on a continuum (McMahon et al, 2015) and students have shown variation in their intentions based on the type of intervention assessed (Hoxmeier et al, 2015), health-behavior theories such as the TPB may differ in their utility for predicting bystander intervention intentions. Also, important to note is that while this study was focused specifically on TPB variables, other variables can add to the prediction of bystander intervention intention, including the perceived cost of intervening (Dovidio, 1984), RMA (McMahon, 2010), and empathy (Hayashi & Tahmasbi, 2021).…”

Theoretical perspectives of parental influence on adolescent cyber behaviour: A bi-national Instagram-based study

“…Studies on cyberbullying and cybervictimisation prevalence rates are not only erratic across countries but also not reliable as theoretical dimensions are often ignored [ 35 ]. Other studies also confirm that TPB in the context of social media could be used for planning and designing appropriate interventions to reduce the prevalence of cyberbullying [ 36 ] and understanding bystanders’ intentions [ 37 ].…”

A Systematic Review of Validated Measures of U.S.-Based Bystander Intervention-Related Constructs

“…The TPB (Ajzen, 1985) and the TTM (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) are often used in tandem with the situational model to measure other constructs theorized to be related to bystander behavior. The TPB (Ajzen, 1985) evaluates how attitudinal beliefs, perceived behavioral control, and existing subjective norms impact one’s intention to engage in a particular behavior (Hayashi & Tahmasbi, 2021). Ajzen (1985) theorizes that these constructs are precursors to behavior, with more supportive attitudes, stronger beliefs in one’s ability to act, and perception of a more supportive context all leading to increased intent to intervene and, in turn, actual behavior (Banyard & Moynihan, 2011; Burn, 2009; McMahon et al, 2015).…”