Effects of prospective mental imagery on approach motivation and behavioral engagement in social anxiety.
Andrea S Stoliarov, Frederike Wichert, Christiane A Melzig et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of prospective mental imagery on approach motivation and behavioral engagement in socially anxious individuals (N = 136). The study found that participants in the mental imagery group experienced greater increases in anticipated pleasure and approach motivation towards feared social situations compared to a control group. However, no differences in behavioral engagement were observed.
Key findings
- The prospective mental imagery group reported greater increases in anticipated pleasure compared to the control group.
- Participants in the mental imagery group showed enhanced approach motivation towards feared social situations.
- No differences in behavioral engagement with feared social situations were found between groups.
- Higher vividness of mental imagery correlated with greater efficacy in enhancing reward processing and approach motivation.
Why it matters
Understanding how mental imagery can enhance approach motivation may provide clinicians with additional strategies to improve exposure therapy outcomes for socially anxious patients, potentially increasing their engagement in therapeutic activities.