Investigating the Effect of Mental Imagery-Based Future Episodic Simulation on Subsequent Behavioral Engagement in Depressed, Dysphoric, and Nondepressed Individuals

Previous work has suggested that mental imagery may represent a useful strategy for motivating goal-directed behaviors. Given that individuals experiencing depression symptoms have low motivation to engage in pleasurable activities, this study aimed to explore the effect of mental imagery on activity engagement for pleasurable activities in nondepressed, dysphoric, and depressed individuals (N = 163). Participants selected four activities they wished to engage in and rated expected outcomes and anticipated emotions relating to activity completion before and after mental elaboration of each activity using either mental imagery or verbal reasoning. Over the following week, utilizing ecological momentary assessment, participants recorded the frequency with which they engaged in their chosen activities. Results showed both conditions led to similar levels of behavioral engagement, across all participants, suggesting that both tasks may influence behavioral engagement. Research is now needed to investigate the underlying mechanism/s by which behavioral engagement is occurring.