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Reactance theory and patient noncompliance

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  • Fogarty, Jeanne S.

Abstract

With surprising frequency, and to the considerable dismay of health care professionals, patients both subtly and overtly refuse to cooperate with medical treatment. Despite considerable empirical and theoretical attention, and an abundance of interventions designed to combat it, noncompliance continues. Its persistence is accompanied by considerable costs borne by patients and society alike. The theory of psychological reactance sheds new light on the phenomenon. Reactance theory proposes that a perceived threat to an individual's freedom generates a motivational state aimed at recapturing the affected freedom and preventing the loss of others. In a medical context, patients' perceptions of threats to their freedom or control may induce noncompliance. This theory permits integration of many of the seemingly disparate and/or contradictory findings, and may afford professionals new opportunities for improving patient compliance.

Suggested Citation

  • Fogarty, Jeanne S., 1997. "Reactance theory and patient noncompliance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 45(8), pages 1277-1288, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:45:y:1997:i:8:p:1277-1288
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    Cited by:

    1. Corrigan, Patrick W. & Salzer, Mark S., 2003. "The conflict between random assignment and treatment preference: implications for internal validity," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 109-121, May.
    2. Jacob M. Marszalek & Patricia L. Hager & Jacquelyn N. Anderson & Jack T. Waddell, 2021. "Interrelationships Among Dimensions of Flow and Reactance," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 3385-3412, December.
    3. Vijay Payal Bharti & Elizabeth T. Gratz & M. Paula Fitzgerald, 2022. "“You can't make me do it!” A model of consumer compliance," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 120-140, March.
    4. Burkert, Silke & Scholz, Urte & Gralla, Oliver & Roigas, Jan & Knoll, Nina, 2011. "Dyadic planning of health-behavior change after prostatectomy: A randomized-controlled planning intervention," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(5), pages 783-792, September.
    5. Law, Stephanie & Daftary, Amrita & Mitnick, Carole D. & Dheda, Keertan & Menzies, Dick, 2019. "Disrupting a cycle of mistrust: A constructivist grounded theory study on patient-provider trust in TB care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    6. Goncalo, Jack A. & Duguid, Michelle M., 2012. "Follow the crowd in a new direction: When conformity pressure facilitates group creativity (and when it does not)," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 118(1), pages 14-23.
    7. Shapiro, Stephen L. & Drayer, Joris & Dwyer, Brendan, 2020. "An examination of consumer reactance to daily fantasy sport and sport gambling regulatory restrictions," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 797-809.

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