[1Win4] Poster session 1

[1Win4-16] Psychological Reactance Induced by Travel Restrictions During the Pandemic and Its Effects

An Analysis of YouTube Comments

〇Takao Oshikiri¹, Mitsuo Yoshida² (1.Bunkyo Gakuin University, University of Tsukuba, 2.University of Tsukuba)

Keywords:YouTube comments, Pandemic, Psychological reactance

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed significant travel restrictions that affected both behavior and emotions, triggering frustration and psychological reactance. This study analyzes YouTube comments on airline boarding music to explore the emotional impact of these restrictions. The comments, categorized into pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods, reveal signs of psychological reactance, such as frustration and nostalgia for pre-pandemic freedoms. The volume of comments increased during the pandemic, suggesting that the restrictions intensified emotional responses. Sentiment and emotion analysis showed a rise in negative emotions, particularly frustration and longing for freedom, which subsided post-pandemic. The findings confirm that long-term constraints on freedom trigger psychological reactance, influencing emotional expression and behavior. This research enhances the understanding of psychological reactance in a global crisis, offering valuable insights for marketing and risk communication in tourism and aviation.