Communication Style as an Antecedent to Reactance, Self-Efficacy, and Restoration of Freedom

• In Event: Communication About Drugs and Medication

Abstract

This study extends research on psychological reactance by examining probation and parole officer (PO) communication style as an antecedent to female offenders’ reactance. SEM was used to test a mediational path model of PO communication style (conversation vs. conformity) on women’s self-reported reactance, self-efficacy to avoid substance use, restoration, and subsequent substance use and official records of substance-use violations. Results demonstrate that perceptions of PO conversational communication style were negatively associated with reactance, but positively associated with self-efficacy to avoid drugs and alcohol. Conversely, women who perceived their POs to have a conformity communication style were more likely to report higher levels of reactance and lower self-efficacy to avoid drugs and alcohol. Reactance led to desire to restore freedom, while self efficacy to avoid drugs and alcohol did not. Desire to restore freedom led to reports of using drugs and alcohol and violations by POs for using drugs and alcohol.

Authors

• Sandi W Smith, Michigan State U

• Jennifer Cornacchione, Michigan State U

• Merry Morash, Michigan State U

• Deborah Kashy, Michigan State U

• Jennifer Cobbina, Michigan State U