Who helps, who intervenes?: Understanding bystander characteristics and intervention using audio-vignettes involving mental health scenarios

Abstract Objectives The current study examines how situational context and bystander characteristics influence bystander intervention in scenarios involving a victim experiencing a mental health crisis. Methods Using a national demographically matched sample of 850 adults in the United States and a factorial design with audio vignettes (which varied in victim symptomatology, victim/offender sex, event location, and type of victimization), we examined how the context and characteristics of bystanders influence indirect and direct bystander intervention. Results Using logistic regression models, results show that all varied situational factors influenced bystander intervention. Several domains of bystander characteristics, including those specific to mental health, biopsychosocial factors, and demographics impacted bystander intervention. Conclusions Understanding who intervenes and why is essential for developing strategies that foster sustained engagement. Our findings provide avenues to ensure the durability of intervention effects through targeting individual characteristics and motivations that influence decision-making in behavioral crisis situations.