The Relationship Between Gender, Training, Experience and Acceptance of Myths About Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Willingness to Intervene Among University Students in Spain

Abstract

The aim was to explore potential explanatory factors for the three dimensions of willingness to intervene in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women: police or personal involvement and noninvolvement. N = 280 students at a Spanish university (78.20% women) from the fields of educational, community, and interventions responded to a survey including the Willingness to Intervene in cases of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and the Acceptance of Myths About Intimate partner Violence Against Women scales. Bivariate analyses and multiple linear regressions demonstrated that IPV experience implied greater personal involvement, while the higher the myth acceptance, the lower the probability of calling law enforcement. The likelihood of not intervening decreased with some IPV experience and training and lower myth acceptance. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance in developing bystander interventions.