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Exploring the relation between visual mental imagery and affect in the daily life of previously depressed and never depressed individuals

DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2017.1365047
Slofstra, C., Nauta, M. H., Holmes, E. A., Bos, E. H., Wichers, M., Batalas, N., Klein, N. S., & Bockting, C. L. (2018). Exploring the relation between visual mental imagery and affect in the daily life of previously depressed and never depressed individuals. Cognition and Emotion, 32(5), 1131–1138. doi:10.1080/02699931.2017.1365047

Abstract

Previously depressed individuals experience disturbances in affect. Affective disturbances may be related to visual mental imagery, given that imagery-based processing of emotional stimuli causes stronger affective responses than verbal processing in experimental laboratory studies. However, the role of imagery-based processing in everyday life is unknown. This study assessed mental imagery in the daily life of previously and never depressed individuals. Higher levels of visual mental imagery was hypothesised to be associated with more affective reactivity to both negatively and positively valenced mental representations. This study was the first to explore mental imagery in daily life using experience sampling methodology. Previously depressed (n = 10) and matched never depressed (n = 11) individuals participated in this study. Momentary affect and imagery-based processing were assessed using the “Imagine your mood” smartphone application. Participants recorded on average 136 momentary reports over a period of 8 weeks. The expected association between visual mental imagery and affective reactivity was not found. Unexpectedly, in both previously and never depressed individuals, higher levels of imagery-based processing of mental representations in daily life were significantly associated with better momentary mood and more positive affect, regardless of valence. The causality of effects remains to be examined in future studies.

Authors

  • Christien Slofstra1
  • Maaike H. Nauta1
  • Emily A. Holmes4
  • Elisabeth H. Bos1
  • Marieke Wichers1
  • Nikolaos Batalas1
  • Nicola S. Klein1
  • Claudi L.H. Bockting1

Exploring Mental Imagery and Mood: A Study on Depression

Overview/Introduction

Depression is a common mental health issue that often involves disturbances in mood or affect. This study explores how visual mental imagery—essentially, the pictures we see in our mind—affects mood in people who have experienced depression and those who have not. Previous research suggests that mental imagery can intensify emotions more than simply thinking in words. However, its role in everyday life remains unclear. This study aims to fill that gap by examining how mental imagery influences mood in daily settings.

Methodology

  • Participants: The study involved 21 individuals, 10 of whom had previously experienced depression, and 11 who had never been depressed. Participants were matched based on age, gender, and education.
  • Tools: Researchers used a smartphone app called "Imagine your mood" to collect data. Participants reported their mood and mental imagery experiences multiple times a day over eight weeks.
  • Data Collection: On average, each participant provided 136 reports. They rated their mood and the vividness of their mental imagery on a scale from 0 to 100.

Key Findings

  • Contrary to expectations, the study found no link between mental imagery and increased mood reactivity—how much a person's mood changes in response to thoughts or events.
  • Unexpected Positive Outcome: Both previously and never depressed individuals showed better mood and more positive emotions when they experienced higher levels of mental imagery, regardless of whether the imagery was positive or negative.
  • Negative Affect: Surprisingly, more vivid mental imagery was associated with reduced negative emotional responses to negative thoughts.

Implications

  • Mood Improvement: The findings suggest that engaging in mental imagery could potentially be a simple and effective way to improve mood in daily life, even for those with a history of depression.
  • Therapeutic Potential: These results open up new avenues for therapeutic interventions, where encouraging mental imagery might help in mood regulation and potentially prevent depressive relapses.

Limitations

  • Sample Size: The study involved a small number of participants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  • Causality: The study was correlational, meaning it can't definitively say that mental imagery causes mood changes. Further research is needed to explore this relationship more deeply.
In conclusion, while the study did not find the expected link between mental imagery and mood reactivity, it revealed that mental imagery might play a beneficial role in enhancing mood and reducing negative emotions in everyday life. This insight could be valuable for developing new strategies to support mental health.