Does a three-dimensional Impact Message Inventory-Circumplex (IMI-C) enclose an indirect measure of reactance?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Interpersonal Relations

Background:

• The Impact Message Inventory-Circumplex (IMI-C) is used by clinicians to assess emotional reactions to patient communication.
• It is based on two dimensions: affiliation and control.
• Modern emotion theories suggest three dimensions: evaluation, control, and arousal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the two-dimensional circumplex structure of the IMI-C in a Dutch patient sample.
• To explore the potential for a third dimension in therapists' IMI-C responses.
• To enhance the interpretation of the IMI-C by incorporating a third dimension.

Main Methods:

• Replication of the IMI-C's two-dimensional structure using Browne's circumplex model.
• Exploratory factor analysis to identify additional dimensions in IMI-C responses.
• Orthogonal target rotation towards a specified target matrix to interpret factors.

Main Results:

• The IMI-C's two-dimensional circumplex structure was validated to a fair extent.
• Evidence was found for a third factor, interpretable as reactance (active vs. passive opposition).
• The study supports extending the IMI-C interpretation to three dimensions.

Conclusions:

• The IMI-C is a valid tool for assessing clinician emotional responses based on affiliation and control.
• A third dimension, reactance, can be identified in IMI-C responses.
• A three-dimensional model of the IMI-C offers a more comprehensive understanding of therapist-patient interactions.