The relationship between binge drinking and prosocial bystander behavior among college men.

This study prospectively examined binge drinking's effect on prosocial bystander behavior and indicators of bystander behavior: intentions to intervene, self-efficacy to intervene, and positive outcome expectancies for intervening. College men were recruited from February to April 2010. Pre- and posttest surveys were administered as part of a randomized controlled trial ( = 743). Potential confounders were identified using Pearson product-moment correlations. Controlling for covariates, multiple linear regression was used to examine whether binge drinking was predictive of prosocial bystander behavior and indicators of bystander behavior. Binge drinking was related to lower bystander behavior (<.05), lower intentions to intervene (<.001), and less positive outcome expectancies for intervening (<.05). Binge drinking may reduce the ability to notice a risk situation and intervene as a prosocial bystander. Results highlight the need for bystander programs to address alcohol use within the context of bystander behavior.