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Mental imagery during daily life: Psychometric evaluation of the Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS)

DOI: 10.5334/pb.ag
Nelis, S., Holmes, E. A., Griffith, J. W., & Raes, F. (2014). Mental imagery during daily life: psychometric evaluation of the spontaneous use of imagery scale (suis). Psychologica Belgica, 54(1), 19–32. doi:10.5334/pb.ag

Abstract

The Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS) is used to measure the tendency to use visual mental imagery in daily life. Its psychometric properties were evaluated in three independent samples (total N = 1297). We evaluated the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the questionnaire. We also examined the structure of the items using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, correlations with other imagery questionnaires provided evidence about convergent validity. The SUIS had acceptable reliability and convergent validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a unidimensional structure fit the data, suggesting that the SUIS indeed measures a general use of mental imagery in daily life. Future research can further investigate and improve the psychometric properties of the SUIS. Moreover, the SUIS could be useful to determine how imagery relates to e.g. psychopathology.

Authors

  • Sabine Nelis1
  • Emily A. Holmes4
  • James W. Griffith1
  • Filip Raes1

Overview/Introduction

The study focuses on the Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS), a tool designed to measure how often people use visual mental imagery in their daily lives. Researchers translated the original English version of the SUIS into Dutch and evaluated its effectiveness using three different groups of participants, totaling 1,297 individuals. The main goal was to assess the reliability and validity of the SUIS and to understand its structure through various statistical analyses.

Methodology

  • Participants: The study involved three separate groups, with participants recruited through university sessions and online invitations.
  • Data Collection: Participants completed the SUIS along with other imagery questionnaires, such as the VVIQ and the visual subscale of the QMI, to assess convergent validity.
  • Analyses:
  • Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA): Used to identify the underlying structure of the SUIS in one sample.
  • Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA): Conducted in the other two samples to confirm the structure identified by EFA.
  • Reliability Tests: Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha, and test-retest reliability was assessed in a subset of participants.

Key Findings

  • The SUIS demonstrated acceptable reliability and convergent validity. It correlated as expected with other imagery questionnaires.
  • Both EFA and CFA supported a unidimensional structure, indicating that the SUIS effectively measures a single construct: the general use of mental imagery.
  • Some items (1, 4, and 6) were identified as suboptimal, suggesting they could be revised or excluded for improved accuracy.

Implications

  • The SUIS can be a valuable tool for understanding how mental imagery is used in daily life, with potential applications in both clinical and non-clinical settings.
  • The findings support using a total score for the SUIS, reflecting its unidimensional nature.
  • The study provides norms for future research, aiding in the comparison of imagery use across different populations.

Limitations

  • The study's online recruitment method led to a diverse sample but limited control over testing conditions.
  • There was a gender imbalance, with more women than men participating, which could affect the generalizability of the results.
  • The study suggests further research to refine the SUIS, especially concerning the less effective items.
In conclusion, this research offers strong support for the SUIS as a reliable and valid measure of mental imagery use, with practical applications in various fields. However, further refinement and testing are recommended to enhance its effectiveness.