Using VR to Assess the Efficacy of a Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Increase Bystander Behaviors

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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With the present project, we will a evaluate a new, motivational interviewing (MI) intervention for increasing bystander behaviors to prevent sexual violence. In the intervention, motivational interviewing will be used to build each participant's unique motivation for engaging in bystander intervention behaviors. To assess the efficacy of the intervention, we will utilize the Bystanders in Sexual Assault Virtual Environments (B-SAVE), a virtual reality measure of bystander behaviors, along with self-report measures examining relevant bystander behaviors and attitudes. We will also examine key moderators of intervention efficacy to provide valuable knowledge (e.g., whom the intervention is most effective for) for further tailoring of the intervention.

Detailed Description
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This study will provide a comprehensive examination of Motivate-The-Bystander and provide information about whom the intervention is most effective for. Specifically, at T1, participants will be randomly assigned to the MTB condition, a motivational interviewing intervention designed to increase participants' bystander intervention behaviors, or an assessment only control condition. All participants will complete a battery of self-report measures, including our three proposed moderators (gender, alcohol use, and rape myth acceptance). Participants assigned to the MTB condition will also engage in a motivational interviewing intervention designed to build each participant's unique motivation for engaging in bystander intervention behaviors. Approximately two months later, at T2, participants will complete a battery of self-report measures assessing their bystander behaviors and attitudes over the past two months. Then, all participants will complete the B-SAVE, where they provide open ended verbal responses to a series of sexually risky and non-risky interactive scenes they witness in the virtual environment.

Official Title
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Using Virtual Reality to Assess the Efficacy of a Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Increase Bystander Behaviors

Conditions
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Sexual Assault

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Motivate-The-Bystander (MTB)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Ages 18-25, English speaking Exclusion Criteria: Non English speaking.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Individuals will be randomly assigned to complete either a motivational interviewing intervention to increase bystander behaviors or an assessment only control condition. The outcome variables are post-treatment bystander behaviors, measured through both self-report measures and a virtual realty assessment of bystander behaviors. The primary analyses will consist of a series of multiple regressions with intervention group (0 = control, 1 = MI training) interacting with each of the moderators to predict post-treatment bystander behaviors (self-reported and B-SAVE).
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Motivate-The-Bystander<br>Participants assigned to the MTB condition arm. | Behavioral: Motivate-The-Bystander (MTB)<br>* MTB is a motivational interviewing intervention designed to increase bystander intervention behaviors. During MTB, participants will discuss their knowledge and experiences with bystander intervention. Participants will then create a plan to increase their bystander intervention behaviors in the future. The interviewer will utilize a variety of motivational interviewing techniques to help guide the conversation towards change (e.g., asking questions in an open-ended manner, reflecting participants' personal values).<br>|
| No Intervention: Assessment only control condition<br>Participants assigned to the assessment only condition arm. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bystander in Sexual Assault Virtual Environment (BSAVE) | The primary outcome measure consists of participants' open ended verbal responses to a series of sexually risky and non-risky interactive scenes they witness while in the virtual house party. | Two months after the intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bystander Attitudes Scale | A self-report measure assessing participants' bystander related attitudes. | Two months after the intervention | 
| Bystander Behavior Scale | A self-report measure assessing participants' actual bystander behaviors over the past two months. | Two months after the intervention | 
| Bystander Efficacy Scale | A self-report measure assessing participants' confidence in their ability to engage in future bystander behaviors. | Two months after the intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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sexual assault prevention, motivational interviewing, bystander intervention