Mental Imagery-Based Training to Modify Mood and Cognitive Bias in Adolescents: Effects of Valence and Perspective

S Burnett Heyes,S M Raeder,E A Holmes,S E Blackwell,H Mitchell,A Pictet,J Y F Lau

doi:10.1007/s10608-016-9795-8

Abstract

Mental imagery has a powerful impact on emotion and cognitive processing in adults, and is implicated in emotional disorders. Research suggests the perspective adopted in mental imagery modulates its emotional impact. However, little is known about the impact of mental imagery in adolescence, despite adolescence being the key time for the onset of emotional dysfunction. We administered computerised positive versus mixed valence picture-word mental imagery training to male adolescent participants (N = 60, aged 11–16 years) across separate field and observer perspective sessions. Positive mood increased more following positive than mixed imagery; pleasantness ratings of ambiguous pictures increased following positive versus mixed imagery generated from field but not observer perspective; negative interpretation bias on a novel scrambled sentences task was smaller following positive than mixed imagery particularly when imagery was generated from field perspective. These findings suggest positive mental imagery generation alters mood and cognition in male adolescents, with the latter moderated by imagery perspective. Identifying key components of such training, such as imagery perspective, extends understanding of the relationship between mental imagery, mood, and cognition in adolescence.

Highlights

Adolescence is a major period of life for the onset of mental health problems (Kessler et al 1994, 2012a, b; Ormel et al 2014; Paus et al 2008)
Positive mood increased more following positive than mixed imagery; pleasantness ratings of ambiguous pictures increased following positive versus mixed imagery generated from field but not observer perspective; negative interpretation bias on a novel scrambled sentences task was smaller following positive than mixed imagery when imagery was generated from field perspective
Results show that generating positive mental imagery resulted in increases in positive mood and interpretations

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is a major period of life for the onset of mental health problems (Kessler et al 1994, 2012a, b; Ormel et al 2014; Paus et al 2008). Understanding the mechanisms underlying emotional dysfunction and developing appropriate treatments is a priority. Research has highlighted mental imagery as a key feature and contributor to emotional dysfunction across a range of psychological disorders (Holmes and Mathews 2010). 2009; Steinberg 2008), may render individuals more vulnerable to emotional (including imagery) symptoms. These same developmental features suggest adolescents may benefit from appropriately targeted interventions (Burnett Heyes et al 2013). We investigated the impact of generating emotional mental imagery on mood and cognition in adolescents

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion