The Efficacy of Prospective Mental Imagery in Enhancing Approach Motivation Among Socially Anxious Individuals
This online study is exploring if a new way of using your imagination, called 'prospective mental imagery', can help people with social anxiety feel more motivated to face social situations they find difficult. Social anxiety can make people avoid certain events, but this study hopes to find a tool to make facing these situations easier. Participants will learn about anxiety, then either imagine successfully handling a feared situation or think about the good and bad points of facing it. Researchers will then check if this helps people feel more positive and willing to engage with those situations a week later. The aim is to find better ways to support people in overcoming social anxiety.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is looking for new and better ways to help people who experience social anxiety, sometimes called social phobia. Social anxiety can make everyday social situations, like talking to new people or giving compliments, feel very difficult or even scary. This often leads people to avoid these situations altogether, which can make their anxiety worse.
Currently, a common and effective treatment for anxiety is called "exposure therapy." This involves gradually and safely facing the situations that bring on anxiety. However, a big challenge with exposure therapy is that sometimes people find it too hard to start or continue because facing their fears can feel overwhelming. This new study is exploring an online approach to help people feel more ready and willing to tackle these feared social situations.
The researchers are particularly interested in a technique involving imagination, called 'prospective mental imagery'. This is because similar techniques have shown promise in helping people with depression feel more motivated and positive about doing things they enjoy. The idea is that by vividly imagining yourself successfully handling a difficult social situation, it might make you feel more positive and motivated to actually do it in real life. The study wants to see if this method can do the same for people with social anxiety, helping them feel more confident and less likely to avoid social interactions.
Key takeaways
- This is an online study for adults with social anxiety.
- It tests if using your imagination to picture success helps you face fears.
- No clinics, no medication, all done from home.
- Involves learning about anxiety and then doing an imagination or thinking task.
- You'll share how you feel before and after, and a week later.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older who experience social anxiety. To be specific, the researchers are looking for people who show clear signs of social anxiety based on a short questionnaire they'll complete.
Also, you would need to feel moderately worried about two particular social situations: giving a stranger a compliment and asking for a restaurant recommendation. You would need to rate your fear for each of these as being at level 5 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10.
Finally, you should have actively avoided both of these situations (giving a compliment to a stranger and asking for a restaurant recommendation) in the past week leading up to the study. This helps the researchers study how their intervention might help you engage with situations you've been avoiding.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Do you feel anxious in social situations?
- Do you get moderately worried about giving a stranger a compliment?
- Do you get moderately worried about asking for a restaurant recommendation?
- Have you avoided giving compliments or asking for recommendations in the last week?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, everything will be done online. You'll first get some information about anxiety. Then, you'll be put into one of two groups: one group will do an imagination task where you'll vividly picture yourself successfully mastering a social situation you find difficult. The other group will do a thinking task where you'll consider the good and bad points of facing that same social situation. Before and after these tasks, you'll answer some questions about how you feel. One week later, you'll be asked about your experiences with facing social situations. There are no medications involved, and the total duration would be over about a week.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Germany Philipps UniversityVerified postcodeMarburg, Germany· Recruiting
Common questions
What is 'prospective mental imagery'?
It's a technique where you vividly imagine yourself successfully doing something you find challenging, hoping it makes you feel more motivated to do it in real life.
Will I have to see a doctor or go to a clinic?
No, this study is completely online, so you won't need to visit any clinics or doctors in person for the study.
What kind of social situations will I be asked about?
The study specifically asks about giving a stranger a compliment and asking for a restaurant recommendation.
Will I be given medication?
No, this study does not involve any medication. It focuses on psychological techniques.
How long will the study take?
The main activities of the study will happen over roughly a week, with some tasks at the beginning and a follow-up a week later.
How to find out more
Andrea Stoliarov, M.Sc.
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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