Therapeutic reactance in a depressed client sample: a comparison of two measures

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychotherapy Research

Background:

• Client variables significantly influence psychotherapy outcomes, necessitating accurate assessment.
• Reactance, the tendency to resist perceived threats to freedom, can impact therapeutic effectiveness.
• Quantifying reactance before treatment aids in personalized treatment planning and improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the psychometric properties of two measures of psychological reactance: the Therapeutic Reactance Scale (TRS) and Resistance Potential (RP).
• To evaluate the reliability and validity of these instruments for assessing reactance in individuals with depression.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-eight adults diagnosed with depression completed both the Therapeutic Reactance Scale (TRS) and the Resistance Potential (RP) measures.
• Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the correlation, internal consistency, and validity of both scales.

Main Results:

• The TRS and RP scales did not correlate, suggesting they may not measure the same construct of reactance.
• The Resistance Potential (RP) measure demonstrated extremely poor internal consistency, questioning the reliability of previous findings using this scale.
• The Therapeutic Reactance Scale (TRS) provided evidence for convergent, divergent, and construct validity.

Conclusions:

• The Therapeutic Reactance Scale (TRS) appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring reactance in clinical populations.
• The Resistance Potential (RP) measure's poor psychometric properties raise concerns about its utility in research and clinical practice.
• Accurate assessment of client reactance using validated tools like the TRS can enhance psychotherapy planning and effectiveness.