Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Anthony Perry
Abstract
Sexual assault on college campuses is a significant concern and deemed a public health problem. Research suggested that certain groups, such as male college student athletes, may be the main offenders and contributors to the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between acceptance of specific rape myths and attitudes toward bystander intervention in specific situations among Division III athletes and nonathletes on a college campus. The theory of planned behavior and feminist theory served as the foundation for this quantitative study. An archival dataset was analyzed that included undergraduate students (N = 313) from a Division III institution. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that rape myth acceptance and athlete status significantly predicted attitudes toward bystander intervention. Higher endorsement of rape myths predicted more negative attitude toward bystander intervention and athletes had more negative attitudes toward bystander intervention than nonathletes. The findings from this study may lead to positive social change by providing college/university administrators and educators insight into the factors that can influence a college student’s decision to intervene as a bystander and in turn help enhance sexual violence education and prevention programs.
Recommended Citation
Honeycutt, Del Rey, "Rape Myth Acceptance and Attitudes Toward Bystander Intervention Among Division III College Student Athletes and Nonathletes" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14865.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14865
