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Explaining Resistance to the COVID-19 Preventive Measures: A Psychological Reactance Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Rabia Bokhari

    (Hekma School of Business and Law, Dar Al-Hekma University, Jeddah 22246, Saudi Arabia)

  • Khurram Shahzad

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact that psychological reactance has on the COVID-19 adherence-related behavior and vaccine motivations of the residents of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, online survey was administered, and 604 usable responses were analyzed to discover the level of psychological reactance, and its impact on adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and vaccine intentions. Results of the Kruskal–Wallis H test demonstrated statistically significant evidence ( p < 0.05) of differences between the mean ranks for four out of seven key COVID-19 preventive measures studied, and four out of five items related to vaccine motivations, as a result of psychological reactance. These results suggest that while the majority of the population is adhering to COVID-19 preventive measures, for the subset of the population that are not fully compliant, psychological reactance is a significant factor in influencing behavior. Governments are, therefore, recommended to ensure that their public health messages are autonomy supporting, and take into consideration psychological and personality-based differences in individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Rabia Bokhari & Khurram Shahzad, 2022. "Explaining Resistance to the COVID-19 Preventive Measures: A Psychological Reactance Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:8:p:4476-:d:790112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ahmed Maged Nofal & Gabriella Cacciotti & Nick Lee, 2020. "Who complies with COVID-19 transmission mitigation behavioral guidelines?," Post-Print hal-02962370, HAL.
    2. Jay J. Van Bavel & Katherine Baicker & Paulo S. Boggio & Valerio Capraro & Aleksandra Cichocka & Mina Cikara & Molly J. Crockett & Alia J. Crum & Karen M. Douglas & James N. Druckman & John Drury & Oe, 2020. "Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 460-471, May.
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