When are bystanders more likely and confident to act: Validation of the Bystanders to Alcohol Risk Scales-Willingness and self-efficacy.
The study provides valid and reliable tools for measuring bystander intervention willingness and self-efficacy in alcohol-related situations.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the mk-677 (ibutamoren) corpusSummary and findings
This study evaluated the psychometrics of two new measures assessing willingness and self-efficacy to intervene in alcohol-related risk situations among young adults. A total of 1,011 participants completed the measures, with a subsample retested two weeks later. The findings suggest that the measures are valid and reliable tools for assessing bystander intervention.
Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>This study evaluated the psychometrics of two new measures of willingness and self-efficacy to intervene in alcohol-related risk situations involving others. Items assess the constructs across bystander scenarios that vary by situation (before, during, after risk), one's relation to the target (friend/stranger), and the gender of the target (man/woman).<h4>Method</h4>Young adults (N = 1,011, <i>M</i><sub>age</sub> 22.0 years, 46.0% women, 70.7% White, 23.3% Latinx) completed the new measures and related measures to assess validity, and a subsample was retested 2 weeks later. Multivariate variance decomposition was used to determine how the scenario components influenced variance; bivariate correlations evaluated validity, and intraclass correlations evaluated test-retest reliability.<h4>Results</h4>Models for willingness and self-efficacy constructs fit the data well. The largest component contributing to both measures was the general component, reflecting overall willingness/self-efficacy regardless of situation, relation, and gender components (αs > .90). For willingness, the next largest component was situation, with "after" drinking showing the greatest variability but the lowest mean. For self-efficacy, the second most important component was relation to the target, with friend showing higher self-efficacy than stranger. Participants indicated higher willingness and self-efficacy when the target was a woman, and women participants reported higher willingness than men. Validity was supported by significant correlations with bystander behaviors and alcohol-related constructs. Test-retest reliability indicated moderate stability for both measures (intraclass correlations = 0.50-0.64).<h4>Conclusions</h4>These measures provide valid and reliable tools for measuring bystander intervention willingness and self-efficacy in alcohol-related risk situations and offer utility for the evaluation of bystander intervention programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Background
This paper addresses the need for reliable measures of bystander intervention willingness and self-efficacy in alcohol-related risk situations. Prior research has highlighted the importance of bystander intervention in reducing alcohol-related harm, but valid measurement tools were lacking. This study aims to fill that gap by validating two new scales designed to assess these constructs in various scenarios.
Methods
The study employed a cross-sectional design with a sample of 1,011 young adults. Participants completed the new measures and related assessments to evaluate validity. A subsample was retested two weeks later to assess test-retest reliability. Multivariate variance decomposition was used to analyze the influence of scenario components on variance.
Results
The models for willingness and self-efficacy constructs fit the data well. The largest contributing component was the general component, with αs > .90. For willingness, the situation component showed variability, with 'after' drinking having the lowest mean. For self-efficacy, relation to the target was significant, with friends showing higher self-efficacy than strangers.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that the new measures are valid and reliable for assessing bystander intervention in alcohol-related contexts. While the effect sizes are statistically significant, the clinical significance remains uncertain due to the reliance on self-reported data and the demographic limitations of the sample. The results imply that interventions could benefit from focusing on gender dynamics and relationships in bystander scenarios.
Key findings
- N = 1,011, M age 22.0 years, 46.0% women, 70.7% White, 23.3% Latinx.
- Test-retest reliability indicated moderate stability for both measures (intraclass correlations = 0.50-0.64).
- The largest component contributing to both measures was the general component (αs > .90).
- Participants indicated higher willingness and self-efficacy when the target was a woman.
- Women participants reported higher willingness than men.
Limitations
- Demographic homogeneity of the sample.
- Reliance on self-reported measures.
- Not reported in abstract.