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    Does sexual orientation of bullying target influence bystander response?


    Meglich, Patricia, Porter, Tracy and Day, Nancy (2020) Does sexual orientation of bullying target influence bystander response? Irish Journal of Management, 38 (2): 2. pp. 17-33. ISSN 1649-248X

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    Abstract

    The Bystander Intervention Model (BIM) is applied to explore how bystanders to workplace bullying assess situations and choose responses based on the (female) target's sexual orientation. We investigate how attitudes of homophobia and amnestic heterosexism (AH) affect these responses. Vignettes of workplace mistreatment against lesbian, female bisexuals, or female heterosexual targets were randomly presented to respondents, who were asked to assess the degree of "mistreatment" they perceive, their feelings of personal responsibility, and their anticipated responses. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. Regardless of levels of homophobia or AH, respondents report less active intervention when the target is lesbian compared to bisexual or heterosexual females. Respondents do not distinguish between conditions in clarity or severity of bullying. However, those higher in homophobia and AH feel less personal responsibility and are less likely to intervene when the target is lesbian.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: sexual orientation; lesbian; workplace bullying; bystander; intervention;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Business
    Item ID: 20459
    Identification Number: 10.2478/ijm-2010-0005
    Depositing User: IAM School of Business
    Date Deposited: 15 Aug 2025 12:55
    Journal or Publication Title: Irish Journal of Management
    Publisher: Irish Academy of Management
    Refereed: Yes
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/20459
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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