The Reactance Restoration Scale (RRS): A Measure of Direct and Indirect Restoration

Abstract

Although Psychological Reactance Theory (PRT) emerged as an important theoretical framework more than four decades ago, only recently has PRT been applied to the health context. Despite numerous studies testing the principles put forth by PRT, presently no scale exists to measure reactance restoration. The present investigation sets out to address this gap by developing and evaluating the Reactance Restoration Scale (RRS). We performed a confirmatory factor analysis to test the psychometric properties of the 12-item scale. Additionally, we locate the RRS in a nomological network containing both state and trait reactance to examine its construct validity. The scale emanates from Brehm's conceptualization of direct and indirect restoration. Results indicate three unique subscales: boomerang, related boomerang, and vicarious boomerang. Furthermore, the construct validity of the RRS was established given its positive association with state and trait reactance.

Keywords:

• Health Communication
• Persuasion
• Psychological Reactance
• Scale Development

The authors acknowledge Sheena Charanza, Emily Hill, Nicholas Wood, and Jordan Winterfeld for their contribution to this project.

Notes

In an earlier draft of this manuscript, we performed a random split-sample cross-validation to corroborate the RRS. Specifically, we employed an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis on the data for both exercise and sunscreen messages. This procedure suggested that the RRS contains three unique subscales as well.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian L. Quick

Brian L. Quick, (Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 2005) is currently an assistant Professor at Ohio University

Michael T. Stephenson

Michael T. Stephenson (Ph.D., University of Kentucky) is an associate Professor at Texas A&M University.