Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
School of Public Health
Department
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Committee Chair
Danielle Davidov
Committee Co-Chair
Elizabeth Claydon
Committee Member
Elizabeth Claydon
Committee Member
Michelle Hand
Committee Member
Christa Lilly
Committee Member
Keith Zullig
Abstract
Background: Bystander-based sexual violence (SV) prevention programs are critical on college campuses to meet federal Title IX requirements and have proven effective in reducing violence. Greek-affiliated students (members of fraternities and sororities) are at a higher risk for sexual assault than their peers, yet current training programs often do not address their specific needs. This dissertation comprises three interconnected studies that collectively aim to improve bystander intervention strategies for this high-risk group. Aim 1 - Scoping Review: A scoping review was conducted to identify and describe bystander intervention programs delivered to Greek-affiliated students in the US and Canada. An eight-database search was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review identified 81 unique sources, with 18 meeting the inclusion criteria. Eleven specific training programs were identified, encompassing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies. The thematic analysis revealed best practices, including the importance of peer leaders, interactive sessions, and tailored content to Greek culture, as well as barriers such as a lack of engagement and an inadequate session length. The review underscores the need for tailored interventions to effectively address the unique cultural characteristics and high-risk nature of Greek-affiliated students. These findings provide valuable insights for improving the design and implementation of bystander interventions to enhance their efficacy in preventing sexual violence within this population. Aim 2 - Mixed-Methods Study: Aim 2 employs a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, using data from the CDC-funded Multi-College Bystander Efficacy Evaluation (mcBEE) study. This research combines key informant surveys (n = 51) and interviews (n = 60) with student survey data (n = 7,876) to provide a greater understanding of bystander programs implemented with Greek Life. Thematic analysis was conducted for the qualitative data, while basic descriptive statistics were used for the quantitative data. The research revealed significant discrepancies between program awareness and actual training receipt, indicating barriers to participation. Strong relationships and university support were crucial for effective program delivery, with Greek life students playing a key role as peer opinion leaders. Tailoring interventions to address the unique cultural and social dynamics within Greek organizations proved essential for enhancing program relevance and effectiveness. Challenges such as maintaining program fidelity and limited capacity hindered the successful implementation and evaluation of these programs. The need for rigorous evaluation and engaging both new and established leaders within Greek organizations was emphasized. There is a critical need for effective, evidence-based bystander intervention programs tailored for Greek-affiliated students to enhance violence prevention efforts and create safer campus environments. Future research should focus on overcoming participation barriers and ensuring program fidelity to achieve lasting impact. Aim 3 - Quantitative Study:This quantitative study analyzed survey data from 18,371 college students, comparing bystander efficacy and peer engagement based on Greek affiliation and bystander training dose. Generalized estimating equation modeling (OLS regression and negative binomial) was used to assess the interaction effects of group (Greek vs. non-Greek) and training dose (received vs. not received) on the outcomes, controlling for relevant covariates. The mean age of participants was20.3 years, with 52% identifying as Greek-affiliated. Significant differences in bystander efficacy were found between Greek and non-Greek students (p < 0.001), with Greek students showing lower efficacy. Peer engagement levels were also significantly lower among Greek-affiliated students (p < 0.01). Bystander training dose positively influenced bystander efficacy (ß = 0.45, p < 0.001) and peer engagement (ß = 0.32, p < 0.01) across both groups. Greek-affiliated students demonstrated lower bystander efficacy and peer engagement compared to their non-Greek peers. Bystander training significantly improved these outcomes, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions. Future programs should focus on increasing the training dose and tailoring content to the unique needs of Greek-affiliated students to enhance their engagement and efficacy in preventing sexual assault.
Recommended Citation
DeFazio, Caterina, "Bystander Interventions for Sexual Assault Prevention Among Students in Greek Life" (2024). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12618.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12618
Embargo Reason
Publication Pending