Work

The development of the Negative Mental Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ-N)

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Mental imagery plays a key role in the onset and maintenance of psychological disorders, and has become the target of psychological interventions for the treatment of several anxiety-related conditions. However, there are currently no transdiagnostic measures designed to assess the varied dimensions of mental imagery relevant to psychopathology. Aim: To develop and validate a new measure assessing the experiences and appraisals of negative mental imagery. Method: The initial item pool was generated through a comprehensive literature review and interviews with subject-matter experts. An online community sample provided data for the exploratory (n=345) and confirmatory (n=325) factor analyses. Results: The new 16-item Negative Mental Imagery Questionnaire demonstrated four subscales (Intrusiveness, Controllability, Beliefs about Mental Imagery, and Realness). Reliability and validity were good to excellent for both the full- and sub-scales. Conclusions: Appraisals of mental imagery captured by the new measure are consistent with previous research on mental imagery and psychopathology.

Source: Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy

DOI: 10.1017/s1352465824000304

Authors: Florentina Ecaterina Oaie, Joanne L. Bower, Craig Steel

Institutions: University of East Anglia, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450