Annual Conference

Bullying and sexual harassment are prevalent in high school, although effective prevention programs are lacking. The Norms and Bystander Intervention Training (NABIT!) was developed to change the perceptions of peer norms to be more realistic through a social norms campaign and to teach influential peers how to engage in bystander intervention. In this presentation, participants will learn about the development of the intervention, including findings from surveys and focus groups conducted with students and faculty at the school in which it was developed. Participants will also be provided with resources and knowledge to use similar interventions in their settings.

Microaggressions are subtle and daily experiences that communicate negative messages, intentionally or unintentionally, to individuals from marginalized groups. Racial microaggressions have deleterious effects on the mental and physical health of people of color. They should be ameliorated, but little empirical research has focused on ways to prevent or intervene when they occur.  In 2019, Sue and colleagues discussed the idea of microinterventions, which are intentional or unintentional positive/supportive messages for targets of microaggressions that convey: (a) validation of their experiential reality, (b) their value as a person, (c) an affirmation of their racial or group identity, (d) support and encouragement, and (e) reassurance that they are not alone. However, this area of research is still mostly theoretical. We propose an innovative approach to studying racial microaggression interventions by pulling from theory on microinterventions and research on the role of bystander intervention in other types of aggression (e.g., bullying, sexual harassment). In this presentation, we will apply classic social psychology work on bystander intervention theory (Darley & Latane, 1968) to the problem of addressing racial microaggressions by bystanders. Ultimately, our research strives to facilitate bystanders’ decisions to intervene when they see others engaging in a racial microaggression. 

In this presentation we will describe the development of a friend-based motivational intervention designed to empower college women to protect themselves and one another from sexual assault. The intervention is administered to dyads of female friends and is grounded in Bystander Intervention theory. Importantly, the intervention uses motivational interviewing to capitalize on the sense of relationship and responsibility that are critical to intervention behavior. We will also present the results of an open trial of the intervention conducted with dyads of female friends. The participants worked with an interventionist to enhance their ability to recognize and respond to potential sexual assault risk, with a focus on identifying and overcoming barriers associated with alcohol impairment. Preliminary results indicate that the intervention was well-received, with women reporting that they appreciated the opportunity to evaluate their current use of protective behavioral strategies and to create a customized action plan that was congruent with their social and safety goals.

In this presentation, Dr. Midgett will share information about STAC, which is a brief bystander bullying intervention program designed to train students to intervene when they witness bullying at school. Audience members will learn about four intervention strategies (i.e., “stealing the show,” “turning it over,” “accompanying others,” and “coaching compassion”) that school personnel can teach students in order for them to act as “defenders” on behalf of targets of bullying. The presenter will also briefly share results from several randomized control trials evaluating the STAC program and discuss implications for school personnel.

Jason Drucker began acting in commercials at the age of 6 and soon after booked his first TV role on Nickelodeon’s TV series Every Witch Way where he played Tommy Miller for 4 full seasons. From there, he landed his first feature film, Barely Lethal and went on to star in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul and the Transformers spin-off Bumblebee. For the past 7 years, Jason has been an agent for change as a Free2Luv Ambassador spreading the word ‘LUV is Stronger than Hate and Braver than Bullying’.

Alex Angelo began his career dancing and deejaying at a young age. Through his teens, Alex toured with Austin Mahone, Jake Miller, Shawn Mendes, Fifth Harmony and self-released several songs that have totaled millions of listens on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. His mission is to make music and spread joy. Through his advocacy with Free2Luv, Alex is a voice for bullying prevention, mental health, and being yourself, unapologetically.

Chris Edward Garcia enjoys spending time outdoors, and with his friends and family! Bullying is no joke, and that’s why he’s joined Free2luv to stand up to bullying of all types, as well as encouraging everyone to be their best selves, and to bring awareness to mental health!

Kayla Lynn is attending UNCA as a jazz performance major with a vocal minor. Kayla is a resident artist with LEAF Global Arts, a Music Ambassador for Free2Luv, and a founding member of The One Voice Project. For the past several years, Kayla has performed for tens of thousands of students sharing her mental health journey and bullying story, inspiring others to be true to themselves and follow their dreams.

Miah James Green has performed aerials all over the U.S. including performing at the Utah Film Awards and placing bronze at the Aerial Olympics where she was the youngest to ever compete. With all of the accomplishments she has under her young belt, she is most proud of her anti-bullying and kindness activism that she has been doing from a very young age. For the past few years, Miah has served as a Free2Luv Youth Advocate and was the recipient of Free2Luv’s Difference Maker Award for sharing her talents and big heart with under-resourced youth, both on and off the stage.