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Psychological Reactance and Adolescents' Attitudes Toward Tobacco-Control Measures

Psychological Reactance and Adolescents' Attitudes Toward Tobacco-Control Measures

Authors :
Wiium, Nora
Aaro, Leif E.
Hetland, Jorn
Source :
Journal of Applied Social Psychology. July, 2009, Vol. 39 Issue 7, p1718, 21 p.
Publication Year :
2009

Abstract

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2009.00501.x Byline: Nora Wiium (1), Leif E. Aaro (*), Jorn Hetland (*) Abstract: The theory of psychological reactance predicts that, to the extent that smoking-control measures are perceived as threatening the individual's freedom to choose among behavioral alternatives, they may be met with resistance. Data were collected from a national representative sample of 2,400 young people (ages 16-20) by telephone interviews. Dispositional reactance was shown to be associated with smoking. Principal components analyses revealed that a distinction should be made between attitudes toward weak and attitudes toward strong smoking-control measures. Attitudes toward strong measures were particularly negative among regular smokers. Among regular smokers, dispositional reactance was found to be significantly associated with attitudes toward strong tobacco-control measures. Processes of psychological reactance deserve attention when designing smoking control programs. Author Affiliation: (*)Research Centre for Health PromotionThe Faculty of Psychology University of BergenNorway Article note: (1) Nora Wiium, Research Centre for Health Promotion, University of Bergen, Christiesgt. 13, 5015 Bergen, Norway. E-mail: Nora.Wiium@iuh.uib.no

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00219029
Volume :
39
Issue :
7
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsgcl.203115066