Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bystanders Against Cyberbullying: a Video Program for College Students

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Bullying Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present study, we tested the effectiveness of a Theory of Planned Behavior-based cyberbullying bystander video on three outcomes: joining the bully, helping the victim, and doing nothing as compared to a control group. University students (M = 23.68 years old; female = 78.7%), were randomly assigned to a cyberbullying bystander (n = 113) or an alcohol control (n = 112) video. The bystander video showed students defining and depicting four types of cyberbullying (malice, public humiliation, deception, and unwanted contact) with bystanders present and giving suggestions for positive responses when witnessing cyberbullying. Participants completed surveys prior to viewing the video, immediately following the video, and 1 month later. Positive attitudes, favorable injunctive norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding doing nothing when witnessing cyberbullying were significantly lower for the cyberbullying than control group immediately following the video. Further, the experimental group reported higher intentions to help the victim and lower intentions to do nothing when witnessing cyberbullying compared to the control group. Although mean differences for some of these effects were in the same direction at 1-month follow-up, no significant differences were found. Findings are discussed in terms of implications and future directions for cyberbullying intervention programs targeting improvements in bystander behavior.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: a theory of planned behavior. In J. Kuhl & J. Beckmann (Eds.), Action control: From cognition to behavior (pp. 11–39). Germany: Springer-Verlag.

  • Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ajzen, I. (2006). Constructing a TpB questionnaire: conceptual and methodological considerations. http://people.umass.edu/aizen/pdf/tpb.measurement.pdf. Accessed February 28, 2010.

  • Alipan, A., Skues, J. L., Theiler, S., & Wise, L. (2019). Defining cyberbullying: a multifaceted definition based on the perspectives of emerging adults. International Journal of Bullying Prevention, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00018-6.

  • Balakrishnan, V. (2015). Cyberbullying among young adults in Malaysia: the roles of gender, age and Internet frequency. Computers in Human Behavior, 46, 149–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.01.021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Media Psychology, 3, 265–299. https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0303_03.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., Moynihan, M. M., & Plante, E. G. (2007). Sexual violence prevention through bystander education: an experimental evaluation. Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 463–481. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlińska, J., Szuster, A., & Winiewski, M. (2013). Cyberbullying among adolescent bystanders: role of the communication medium, form of violence, and empathy. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 23, 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlińska, J., Szuster, A., & Winiewski, M. (2015). The role of short- and long-term cognitive empathy activation in preventing cyberbystander reinforcing cyberbullying behavior. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, And Social Networking, 18, 241–244. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastiaensens, S., Vandebosch, H., Poels, K., Van Cleemput, K., DeSmet, A., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2014). Cyberbullying on social network sites: an experimental study into bystanders’ behavioural intentions to help the victim or reinforce the bully. Computers in Human Behavior, 31, 259–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.10.036.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastiaensens, S., Pabian, S., Vandebosch, H., Poels, K., Van Cleemput, K., DeSmet, A., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2016). From normative influence to social pressure: how relevant others affect whether bystanders join in cyberbullying. Social Development, 25, 193–211. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauman, S., & Baldasare, A. (2015). Cyber aggression among college students: demographic differences, predictors of distress, and the role of the university. Journal of College Student Development, 56, 317–330. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2015.0039.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, M. H. (1994). Empathy: a social psychological approach. Dubugue, IA: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeSmet, A., Bastiaensens, S., Van Cleemput, K., Poels, K., Vandebosch, H., Deboutte, G., et al. (2018). The efficacy of the Friendly Attac serious digital game to promote prosocial bystander behavior in cyberbullying among young adolescents: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Computers in Human Behavior, 78, 336–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.10.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeSmet, A., Veldeman, C., Poels, K., Bastiaensens, S., Van Cleemput, K., Vandebosch, H., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2014). Determinants of self-reported bystander behavior in cyberbullying incidents amongst adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17, 207–215. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doane A. N., Kelley M. L., Chiang E. S., & Padilla M. A. (2013) Development of the Cyberbullying Experiences Survey. Emerging Adulthood 1(3):207-218.

  • Doane A. N., Pearson M. R., & Kelley M. L. (2014) Predictors of cyberbullying perpetration among college students: An application of the Theory of Reasoned Action. Computers in Human Behavior 36:154-162.

  • Doane A. N., Kelley M. L., & Pearson M. R. (2016) Reducing cyberbullying: A theory of reasoned action-based video prevention program for college students. Aggressive Behavior 42(2):136–146.

  • Ehman, A. C., & Gross, A. M. (2019). Sexual cyberbullying: review, critique, & future directions. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 44, 80–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.11.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erceg-Hurn, D. M., & Mirosevich, V. M. (2008). Modern robust statistical methods: an easy way to maximize the accuracy and power of your research. American Psychologist, 65, 591–601. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.7.591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Efron, B., & Tibshirani, R. (1993). An introduction to the bootstrap. New York: Chapman and Hall.

  • Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (2010). Predicting and changing behavior: the reasoned action approach. New York, NY: Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis).

  • Gahagan, K., Vaterlaus, J. M., & Frost, L. R. (2016). College student cyberbullying on social networking sites: conceptualization, prevalence, and perceived bystander responsibility. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 1097–1105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heirman,W., & Walrave, M. (2012). Predicting adolescent perpetration in cyberbullying: an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Psicothema, 24(4), 614–620.

  • Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2009). Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

  • Holfeld, B. (2014). Perceptions and attributions of bystanders to cyber bullying. Computers in Human Behavior, 38, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Y. Y., & Chou, C. (2010). An analysis of multiple factors of cyberbullying among junior high school students in Taiwan. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 1581–1590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.06.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: a critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 140, 1073–1137. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035618.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Reese, H. H. (2012). Cyber bullying amongst college students: evidence from multiple domains of college life. In L. A. Wankel & C. Wankel (Eds.), Misbehavior online in higher education (pp. 293–321). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing.

  • Latané, B., & Darley, J. M. (1970). The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn’t he help? Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hill.

  • Lee, E. B. (2017). Cyberbullying: prevalence and predictors among African American young adults. Journal of Black Studies, 48, 57–73. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934716678393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M., Zi-Pei, W., Svanström, L., & Dalal, K. (2013). Cyber bullying prevention: Intervention in Taiwan. PLoS ONE, 8, e64031. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064031.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Q. (2010). Cyberbullying in high schools: a study of students’ behaviors and beliefs about this new phenomenon. Child and Adolescent Aggression and Maltreatment, 19, 372–392. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771003788979.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macháčková, H., Dedkova, L., Sevcikova, A., & Cerna, A. (2013). Bystanders’ support of cyberbullied schoolmates. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 23, 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machackova, H., & Pfetsch, J. (2016). Bystanders’ responses to offline bullying and cyberbullying: the role of empathy and normative beliefs about aggression. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 57, 169–176. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12277.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Menesini, E., Nocentini, A., & Palladino, B. E. (2012). Empowering students against bullying and cyberbullying: evaluation of an Italian peer-led model. International Journal of Conflict and Violence, 6, 314–321. https://doi.org/10.4119/UNIBI/ijcv.253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Midgett, A., Doumas, D., Sears, D., Lundquist, A., & Hausheer, R. (2015). A bystander bullying psychoeducation program with middle school students: a preliminary report. The Professional Counselor, 5, 486–500. https://doi.org/10.15241/am.5.4.486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, C., & Cowie, H. (2017). Bullying at university: the social and legal contexts of cyberbullying among university students. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48, 1172–1182. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022116684208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickerson, A. B., Aloe, A. M., Livingston, J. A., & Feeley, T. H. (2014). Measurement of the bystander intervention model for bullying and sexual harassment. Journal of Adolescence, 37(4), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.03.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D., & Endresen, I. M. (1998). The importance of sex-of-stimulus object: age trends and sex differences in empathic responsiveness. Social Development, 7, 370–388. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9507.00073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palladino, B. E., Nocentini, A., & Menesini, E. (2016). Evidence-based intervention against bullying and cyberbullying: evaluation of the NoTrap! program in two independent trials. Aggressive Behavior, 42, 194–206. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21636.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rigby, K. (2008). Children and bullying: How parents and educators can reduce bullying at school. Boston, MA: Blackwell/Wiley.

  • Salmivalli, C., Kärnä, A., & Poskiparta, E. (2011). Counteracting bullying in Finland: the KiVa program and its effects on different forms of being bullied. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 35, 405–411. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025411407457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schacter, H. L., Greenberg, S., & Juvonen, J. (2016). Who’s to blame? The effects of victim disclosure on bystander reactions to cyberbullying. Computers in Human Behavior, 57, 115–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selkie, E. M., Kota, R., Chan, Y. F., & Moreno, M. (2015). Cyberbullying, depression, and problem alcohol use in female college students: a multisite study. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18, 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steffgen, G., Costa, A. P., & Slee, P. (2018). The copying of bystanders with cyberbullying in an adolescent population. In P. T. Slee, G. Skrzypiec, & C. Cefai (Eds.), Child and adolescent wellbeing and violence prevention in schools (pp. 129–137). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

  • Tokunaga, R. S. (2010). Following you home from school: a critical review and synthesis of research on cyberbullying victimization. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.11.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Cleemput, K., Vandebosch, H., & Pabian, S. (2014). Personal characteristics and contextual factors that determine “helping,” “joining in,” and “doing nothing” when witnessing cyberbullying. Aggressive Behavior, 40, 383-396. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21534.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vandebosch, H., & Van Cleemput, K. (2009). Cyberbullying among youngsters: profiles of bullies and victims. New Media & Society, 11, 1349–1371. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444809341263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varghese, M. E., & Pistole, M. C. (2017). College student cyberbullying: self-esteem, depression, loneliness, and attachment. Journal of College Counseling, 20, 7–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, E., & Kowalski, R. M. (2015). Cyberbullying via social media. Journal of School Violence, 14, 11–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2014.949377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williford, A., Elledge, L. C., Boulton, A. J., DePaolis, K. J., Little, T. D., & Salmivalli, C. (2014). Effects of the KiVa Antibullying program on cyberbullying and cybervictimization frequency among Finnish youth. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 42, 820–833. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2013.787623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wölfer, R., Schultze-Krumbholtz, A., Zagorscak, P., Jäkel, A., Göbel, K., & Scheithauer, H. (2014). Prevention 2.0: Targeting cyberbullying @ school. Prevention Science, 15, 879–887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-013-0438-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chowan University, 1 University Place, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855, USA

    Ashley N. Doane

  2. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Sarah Ehlke & Michelle L. Kelley

Authors
  1. Ashley N. Doane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sarah Ehlke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michelle L. Kelley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashley N. Doane.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(PDF 295 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Doane, A.N., Ehlke, S. & Kelley, M.L. Bystanders Against Cyberbullying: a Video Program for College Students. Int Journal of Bullying Prevention 2, 41–52 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00051-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00051-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation