Article Accepted Manuscript

Prospective Mental Imagery in Depression: Impact on Reward Processing and Reward-Motivated Behaviour

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Renner, Fritz
Werthmann, Jessica
Paetsch, Andreas
Bär, Hannah E.
Heise, Max
Bruijniks, Sanne J.

Abstract / Description

Background: Mental imagery has long been part of cognitive behavioural therapies. More recently, a resurgence of interest has emerged for prospective mental imagery, i.e. future-directed imagery-based thought, and its relation to reward processing, motivation and behaviour in the context of depression. Method: We conducted a selective review on the role of prospective mental imagery and its impact on reward processing and reward-motivated behaviour in depression. Results: Based on the current literature, we propose a conceptual mechanistic model of prospective mental imagery. Prospective mental imagery of engaging in positive activities can increase reward anticipation and reward motivation, which can transfer to increased engagement in reward-motivated behaviour and more experiences of reward, thereby decreasing depressive symptoms. We suggest directions for future research using multimodal assessments to measure the impact of prospective mental imagery from its basic functioning in the lab to real-world and clinical implementation. Conclusion: Prospective mental imagery has the potential to improve treatment for depression where the aim is to increase reward-motivated behaviours. Future research should investigate how exactly and for whom prospective mental imagery works.

Keyword(s)

prospective mental imagery depression reward processing motivation behavioural activation

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2021-04-10

Journal title

Clinical Psychology in Europe

Publisher

PsychArchives

Publication status

acceptedVersion

Review status

reviewed

Is version of

Citation

Renner, F., Werthmann, J., Paetsch, A., Bär, H. E., Heise, M., & Bruijniks, S. J. (in press). Prospective mental imagery in depression: Impact on reward processing and reward-motivated behaviour [Author Accepted Manuscript]. Clinical Psychology in Europe. http://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4769
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Renner, Fritz
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Werthmann, Jessica
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Paetsch, Andreas
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Bär, Hannah E.
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Heise, Max
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Bruijniks, Sanne J.
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2021-04-10T10:43:36Z
  • Made available on
    2021-04-10T10:43:36Z
  • Date of first publication
    2021-04-10
  • Abstract / Description
    Background: Mental imagery has long been part of cognitive behavioural therapies. More recently, a resurgence of interest has emerged for prospective mental imagery, i.e. future-directed imagery-based thought, and its relation to reward processing, motivation and behaviour in the context of depression. Method: We conducted a selective review on the role of prospective mental imagery and its impact on reward processing and reward-motivated behaviour in depression. Results: Based on the current literature, we propose a conceptual mechanistic model of prospective mental imagery. Prospective mental imagery of engaging in positive activities can increase reward anticipation and reward motivation, which can transfer to increased engagement in reward-motivated behaviour and more experiences of reward, thereby decreasing depressive symptoms. We suggest directions for future research using multimodal assessments to measure the impact of prospective mental imagery from its basic functioning in the lab to real-world and clinical implementation. Conclusion: Prospective mental imagery has the potential to improve treatment for depression where the aim is to increase reward-motivated behaviours. Future research should investigate how exactly and for whom prospective mental imagery works.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    acceptedVersion
  • Review status
    reviewed
  • Sponsorship
    All authors are supported by a Sofja Kovalevskaja Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research awarded to FR.
    en_US
  • Citation
    Renner, F., Werthmann, J., Paetsch, A., Bär, H. E., Heise, M., & Bruijniks, S. J. (in press). Prospective mental imagery in depression: Impact on reward processing and reward-motivated behaviour [Author Accepted Manuscript]. Clinical Psychology in Europe. http://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4769
  • ISSN
    2625-3410
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/4209
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4769
  • Language of content
    eng
    en_US
  • Publisher
    PsychArchives
    en_US
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.3013
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5770
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5770
  • Keyword(s)
    prospective mental imagery
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    depression
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    reward processing
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    motivation
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    behavioural activation
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    Prospective Mental Imagery in Depression: Impact on Reward Processing and Reward-Motivated Behaviour
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
    en_US
  • Journal title
    Clinical Psychology in Europe
  • Visible tag(s)
    PsychOpen GOLD
    en_US
  • Visible tag(s)
    Accepted Manuscript
    en_US