Work

Investigating profiles of positive and negative imagery ability with stress-related outcomes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Imagery is a common technique used to regulate stress and its associated emotions. Although imagery ability is proposed to influence imagery's effectiveness and be associated with stress-related outcomes, research has yet to identify profiles of positive and negative imagery ability. OBJECTIVES: To explore whether profiles of positive and negative imagery ability exist and evaluate their effects on stress-related outcomes. DESIGN: Two studies were conducted. METHODS: = 271; Study 2) aimed to replicate these profiles and examine their effects on psychological responses to guided imagery designed to elicit challenge and threat appraisals. RESULTS: Three profiles were identified: Higher overall imagers, higher positive/lower negative imagers, and lower overall imagers. Higher positive/lower negative imagers demonstrated a capacity for stress regulation via lower perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, skillful utilization of positive imagery, and resilience to negative imagery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could inform future studies and applied practice by guiding development of targeted interventions to enhance specific imagery abilities, thus improving general wellbeing and optimizing guided imagery for stress coping.

Source: Anxiety Stress & Coping

DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2025.2582540

Authors: Alexandra T. Tyra, Annie T. Ginty, Sarah E. Williams

Institutions: Baylor University, University of Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Fulbright U.S. Student Program, U.S. Department of State, US-UK Fulbright Commission