Applying the Bystander Intervention Model to Racial Microaggressions in College Students

We propose an innovative approach to studying interventions in racial microaggression by applying the five-step bystander intervention model (i.e., Notice the Event, Interpret the Event as Needing Intervention, Accept Responsibility, Know How to Intervene, and Act). The goals were to develop a measure of bystander intervention in racial microaggressions, explore support for a conceptual model, and measure differences between Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and White college students. The sample consisted of 336 BIPOC and 191 White participants ages 18 to 25. Participants completed online surveys reporting their engagement in each of the five steps. We found that—overall—BIPOC and White participants have similar experiences with bystander intervention in racial microaggressions. There was evidence of measurement invariance across BIPOC and White participants for the survey, similar paths between the steps on the conceptual model, and similar frequency of engagement on each of the steps. Implications for practice, research, teaching, and advocacy are provided.