Psychological assessment scales need to be psychometrically sound, but previous
research on the factorial structure of one of the most common measures of trait
reactance, the Hong Psychological Reactance Scale (HPRS), has provided multiple
latent structures and contradicting findings, and the statistical methodology of
previous research can be criticized. These issues raise questions regarding the
interpretability and usefulness of the HPRS as a measure of trait reactance. In
this two-part study, we followed contemporary statistical recommendations and
tested the fit of 12 previously observed factor solutions of the HPRS using
confirmatory factor analysis in two relatively large Finnish samples  (n
= 624 & 518). Furthermore, we tested what factor structure was supported by
a data-driven exploratory factor analysis approach. Both our confirmatory and exploratory
factor analyses supported a one-factor solution for the HPRS. However, in the
exploratory analyses, the single factor accounted for only approximately 40% of
the total variance. Our results also indicated that a reduced scale provided
the best fit in our confirmatory analyses. Combined, these findings imply that the
HPRS could use some improvement. Finally, to shed more light on the reactance
construct and the construct validity of the HPRS, we replicated previous
research showing negative associations between trait reactance and the Big Five
Agreeableness and Conscientiousness traits.