Investigating unique profiles of positive and negative imagery ability with stress and emotion regulation

Tyra, Alexandra T. ORCID: 0000-0003-2444-0265 (2024). Investigating unique profiles of positive and negative imagery ability with stress and emotion regulation. University of Birmingham. M.Sc.

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Abstract

The objective of this thesis was to determine whether unique profiles of positive and negative imagery ability exist, and if so, to evaluate the effects of these profiles on stress and emotion regulation outcomes. A thorough review of the literature was first provided in Chapter 1. This was followed by Chapter 2, which investigated the potential existence of imagery ability profiles in a large cross-sectional sample using multivariate cluster analysis. This chapter also examined whether these imagery ability profiles were differentially associated with emotion regulation strategies, perceptions of stress, and general anxiety. Next, Chapter 3 investigated whether the unique imagery ability profiles identified in Chapter 2 could be replicated in a different sample. This chapter also examined whether these profiles differentially impacted stress, anxiety, and emotional responses to experimental manipulations of guided imagery to elicit challenge and threat appraisals. In summary, three imagery ability profiles were identified: Higher overall imagers, higher positive/lower negative imagers, and lower overall imagers. Notably, higher positive/lower negative imagers demonstrated a unique capacity for stress regulation and well-being, marked by adaptive emotion regulation, lower perceived stress, lower general anxiety, skillful utilization of positive imagery, and resilience to negative imagery. This thesis is novel in that it represents the first attempt to identify unique profiles of positive and negative imagery ability, as well as determine whether certain profiles are more (or less) suited to adaptive stress responding and emotion regulation, both in everyday life, and in response to guided imagery of stress-evoking situations. The results of this research could have significant implications for future stress intervention studies, as it may lead to the development of targeted interventions to enhance specific types of imagery ability, which could ultimately improve the optimization of stress responses to reach desired goals, rather than just reducing or avoiding stress.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Sc.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Sc.

Supervisor(s):