Individual Attitudes and Perceived Efficacy Toward Bystander Intervention Among Childhood Trauma Survivors

Authors

Haley Hansmeier, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Taylor Brumbaugh, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Bailey Lytle, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Kyle Bizal, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Adisson Ams, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Daniel Stephens, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Shaina Kumar, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Sarah Gervais, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
David DiLillo, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 4-14-2020

Document Type

Poster

Citation

Hansmeier, H., Brumbaugh, T., Lytle, B., Bizal, K., Ams, A., Stephens, D., Kumar, S., Gervais, S., & DiLillo, D. (2020, April). Individual attitudes and perceived efficacy toward bystander intervention among childhood trauma survivors. Poster accepted for presentation to the Nebraska Student Research Expo, Lincoln, NE.

Comments

Copyright 2020 by the authors.

Abstract

◉ Childhood abuse and neglect are related to a number of negative outcomes in adulthood, including increased risk for mental health disorders and additional traumatic experiences, poor self-efficacy, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships (Brietzke et al., 2012; Dube et al., 2003; Sachs-Ericsson, Medley, Kendall-Tackett, & Taylor, 2011).

◉ Women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse in particular are at greater risk for lower levels of self-efficacy in adulthood (Diehl & Prout, 2002).

◉ Because sexual abuse survivors experience low self-efficacy, they might feel less confident with regard to engaging in bystander intervention, even though they want to prevent another victim of sexual assault (Bryant, 2001; Yule & Grych, 2017).

◉ Based on this work, we hypothesize that sexual abuse victims will have positive attitudes toward intervening in a risky sexual situation, but they will not feel efficacious enough to do so.