Revisiting psychological reactance theory: relationship between psychological reactance and health-related attitudes/behaviors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Drawing from psychological reactance theory (PRT), this study sought to attain a better understanding on the extent to which psychological reactance is associated with motivation to restore freedom, as manifested in health-related attitudes/behaviors during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we focused on (1) comparing levels of psychological reactance and health-related attitudes and behaviors between Norwegian and Swedish participants, given the divergent approaches followed by these two nations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) examining whether psychological reactance to COVID-19 restrictions moderated associations between COVID-19 risk perception, trust in government, pro-sociality, and COVID-19 health-related attitudes/behaviors. Four hundred and twelve participants (Norway = 196, Sweden = 216) completed measures of psychological reactance to COVID-19 restrictions, COVID-19 risk perception, trust in government, pro-sociality, and COVID-19 health-related attitudes/behaviors (i.e. vaccination intentions, anti-vaccination attitudes, and compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)). Participants from Norway reported higher psychological reactance to COVID-19 restrictions and anti-vaccination attitudes, and lower COVID-19 risk perception, pro-sociality, vaccination intentions, and compliance with NPIs than participants from Sweden. Moderation analyses revealed that participants showing low psychological reactance reported relatively high vaccination intentions, compliance with NPIs, and relatively low anti-vaccination attitudes, regardless of their reported levels of COVID-19 risk perception, trust in government, and pro-sociality. However, high levels of psychological reactance were not always related to the outcome variables; such association depended on the levels of COVID-19 risk perception, trust in government, and pro-sociality. These results suggest that the relationship between psychological reactance and health-related attitudes/behaviors may be more nuanced than previously believed.