Fulfilling needs through imagination
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2022-02-04
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en
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This study examined the effect of imagery rescripting (ImRs) on social anxiety disorder
(SAD) symptoms. During ImRs, persons imagine themselves satisfying their own needs, which
is why need fulfillment was explored as a potential mediator between ImRs and SAD
symptoms. The expectation was that more need fulfillment would lead to a greater reduction
in SAD symptoms. Participants (N = 45) were recruited from a non-clinical sample and were
allocated in two groups (ImRs condition; positive memory condition) that had to follow a self guided five day long online intervention. The ImRs group identified a memory in which they
felt socially anxious and hereafter had to go through the phases of ImRs using this memory.
The positive memory group was exposed to a memory in which they felt socially anxious as
well and hereafter had to recall a recent personal pleasant experience. Each day, all participants
had to fill in to which extent their needs were fulfilled, and social anxiety measures were done
before and right after the intervention. The results showed a small significant effect for both
the ImRs - and the positive memory group in lowering social anxiety symptoms. Need
fulfillment was demonstrated to be a mediator between the relationship of ImRs and the
reduction in social anxiety symptoms. Nonetheless, the current findings should be taken into
consideration with caution due to e.g. the small sample size, unequal distribution of participants
in conditions, and small effect sizes seen in the study.
Keywords: imagery rescripting, need fulfillment, social anxiety disorder
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen