Self-guided functional imagery training to reduce anxiety

IF 4.3 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Behaviour Research and Therapy Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-21 DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2026.104962

Jackie Andrade, Stephanie Hartgen-Walker, Caroline Morgan, Ayan, Idil Aytekin, Khadijah Sekoni, Kardelen Sengul, Jonathan Rhodes

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Many university students experience high anxiety but have limited access to effective interventions. We evaluated a novel digital intervention for anxiety based on functional imagery training (FIT), designed to help individuals identify the impacts of anxiety, set engagement goals, and strengthen motivation for change. Functional Imagery for Keeping Anxiety low (FIKA) uses speak-aloud tasks, journalling, empathic questions, and personalised guided imagery for a person-centred approach. It builds motivation for engagement goals over safety goals through development and practice of vivid and emotionally laden multisensory imagery.

Design

Study 1 used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore user experiences of FIKA. Study 2 compared anxiety pre- and post-FIKA and waitlist using frequentist and Bayesian approaches, with content analysis of FIKA experiences.

Methods

Both studies recruited university students who self-identified as experiencing anxiety, assessed using GAD-7 at baseline and follow-up. In Study 1, participants (N = 12) completed FIKA over a two-week period before returning for interview in Week 3. Study 2 participants (N = 60) were assigned to either FIKA or waitlist, then completed Week 2 assessments and, for waitlist, were offered FIKA.

Results

Quantitative and qualitative analyses supported a reduction in anxiety following FIKA, with qualitative responses supporting the hypothesised role of mental imagery and the empathic, person-centred approach.

Conclusions

FIKA seems a promising digital intervention for anxiety that users found acceptable and helpful. The focus on gently building skills in self-motivation for engagement may encourage students experiencing anxiety to use it early to prevent anxiety becoming a chronic problem.

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自我引导功能意象训练，减少焦虑

目的许多大学生经历高度焦虑，但获得有效干预的途径有限。我们评估了一种基于功能意象训练（FIT）的新型焦虑数字干预，旨在帮助个体识别焦虑的影响，设定参与目标，并加强改变的动机。保持低焦虑的功能意象（FIKA）使用大声说话任务、日志、移情问题和个性化引导意象来实现以人为本的方法。它通过发展和实践生动的、充满情感的多感官意象，为参与目标建立动力，而不是安全目标。设计研究1采用半结构化访谈和主题分析来探索FIKA的用户体验。研究2使用频率分析和贝叶斯方法比较了FIKA前后和候补名单的焦虑，并对FIKA经历进行了内容分析。方法两项研究均招募了自认为经历焦虑的大学生，在基线和随访时使用GAD-7进行评估。在研究1中，参与者（N = 12）在第3周返回面试前的两周内完成了FIKA。研究2的参与者（N = 60）被分配到FIKA或候补名单，然后完成第2周的评估，对于候补名单，给予FIKA。结果定量和定性分析支持FIKA后焦虑的减少，定性反应支持心理意象和共情，以人为本的方法的假设作用。结论fika似乎是一种有希望的焦虑数字干预，用户认为是可接受的和有用的。专注于培养参与的自我激励技能，可能会鼓励经历焦虑的学生尽早使用它，以防止焦虑成为一个长期问题。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Behaviour Research and Therapy PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

7.30%

发文量

148

期刊介绍： The major focus of Behaviour Research and Therapy is an experimental psychopathology approach to understanding emotional and behavioral disorders and their prevention and treatment, using cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological (including neural) methods and models. This includes laboratory-based experimental studies with healthy, at risk and subclinical individuals that inform clinical application as well as studies with clinically severe samples. The following types of submissions are encouraged: theoretical reviews of mechanisms that contribute to psychopathology and that offer new treatment targets; tests of novel, mechanistically focused psychological interventions, especially ones that include theory-driven or experimentally-derived predictors, moderators and mediators; and innovations in dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices into clinical practice in psychology and associated fields, especially those that target underlying mechanisms or focus on novel approaches to treatment delivery. In addition to traditional psychological disorders, the scope of the journal includes behavioural medicine (e.g., chronic pain). The journal will not consider manuscripts dealing primarily with measurement, psychometric analyses, and personality assessment.