Romantic Partner Interference and Psychological Reactance in the Context of Caregiving for an Aging Family Member

Negotiating romantic relational dynamics is inherent to family caregiving situations, which continue be on the rise in United States. However, despite evidence that duties are linked a variety of negative outcomes, limited research examines communication processes contribute or alleviate burden caregiver relationships. Guided by psychological reactance theory (PRT), this study examined link between partner interference with and process, as well directness about irritation type freedom restoration behavior associated reactance. Adults caring for aging members recruited from MTurk ( N = 187) completed an online survey part larger surrounding caregiving. Results using PROCESS serial mediation indicated greater was related heightened perceptions threat, positively experience reactance, turn irritation. association negative, opposite direction what hypothesized. Implications PRT interventions caregivers their partners discussed.