Hidden Control: Factors Explaining Neighbors’ Willingness to Intervene in Technology-facilitated Abuse within Same-Gender Male Couples

Abstract Purpose The rise of technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) introduces new complexities in responding to coercive control (CC). Past research has focused on heterosexual relationships. In this study we examined the influence that participants’ own sexual orientation, participants’ gender, and ethnicity of CC victim-survivors can have on willingness to intervene (WTI) involving same-gender male couples. Methods We used a semi-experimental design with 285 Australian participants, randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions that manipulated the ethnicity of the couple (Australian or Filipino) and the level of TFA harm (low or high). We also examined the role of perceived behavioral control in the relationship between the costs of intervening and WTI. Results Results showed that LGBTQ + and female participants reported higher WTI than heterosexual males. Participants reported significantly higher WTI when TFA harm was high. We found no significant differences in WTI in ethnicity of the couple (Caucasian or Asian) suggesting participants’ sexual orientation and gender are influential in bystander intervention in same-gender male couples. Indirect effects analysis showed lower perceived behavioral control related to higher costs of intervening and lower WTI. Thematic analysis of open-ended survey question responses found two unique themes of personal, cultural, and social costs which influenced WTI. Conclusions The findings highlight a need for targeted, evidence-based interventions that consider WTI in both heterosexual and same-gender couples. We used quantitative and qualitative analysis to explore factors that reduce WTI in TFA, such as legal, ethical, and cultural concerns, thereby offering a holistic understanding of the barriers to intervening.