Trait Psychological Reactance in Adolescents: The Role of Parents and Responses to Prevention Messages

Nobody likes being told what to do but some individuals may be particularly sensitive to persuasion attempts. Research on psychological reactance (PR) addresses this phenomenon in both trait and state form. Adolescents may be particularly reactant and, may be differentially responsive to message variations. The current series of studies examines predictions regarding the relationship between trait reactance (tPR) and variables of import to drug prevention. All three studies consist of secondary analyses of prior data from school-based efficacy trials examining a variety of drug prevention message approaches with middle school students (grades 6, 7, and 8) attending school in southern California, that reported no past substance use. Using a regression analysis, Study 1 (N = 644) showed an interaction of parental monitoring and warmth on tPR—teens who experienced high monitoring and low warmth exhibited higher levels of tPR than those who experienced equally high levels of monitoring under high warmth environments. Study 2 (N = 1,304) replicated the results of Study 1 with a new sample of respondents, showing a significant interaction of monitoring and warmth on tPR. High monitoring was shown to protect against high tPR only when combined with adequate levels of warmth. A comprehensive path model revealed that tPR mediated relations between parenting variables and intentions to use marijuana, with reactant teens more likely to report intentions to engage in use. Findings highlight the critical role of parenting style during adolescence, and suggest that parents should utilize communication strategies that involve high levels of responsiveness. Study 3 investigated the role of tPR and misdirected messages: messages that, while intended for one audience (e.g. children), ostensibly target another (e.g. parents). Participants (n = 641) had not used illicit substances, but indicated uncertainty regarding future use. Multiple hierarchical regressions largely supported hypotheses that tPR would moderate the impact of message target on ad evaluations and perceived harms of inhalant use such that indirect targeting would be most beneficial for those highest in tPR. Together, these studies support the consideration of tPR as an individual difference variable important to drug use prevention, as tPR appears to be a predictor of use intentions and also serves as a moderator of responses to drug prevention messages. Future research might assess how different message strategies may curb reactance responses. Moreover, given its relationship with parenting variables, it seems that tPR may be malleable, giving some guidance to parent-targeted campaigns.