Changing Stress Mindsets With a Novel Imagery Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jacob Keech; Martin S Hagger; Kyra Hamilton

doi:10.1037/emo0000678

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Changing Stress Mindsets With a Novel Imagery Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Changing Stress Mindsets With a Novel Imagery Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jacob Keech, Martin S Hagger and Kyra Hamilton

Emotion, Vol.21(1), pp.123-136

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000678

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Abstract

Psychology

Cognitive Sciences

stress

implicit theories

coping

mental imagery

experiment

Changing individuals' stress mindset has emerged as a technique that may be effective in aiding stress management, but there is limited data on the effects of this technique in managing stress in "real-world" contexts beyond a few days. This study aimed to (a) evaluate the efficacy of a novel imagery-based intervention in changing stress mindset and (b) evaluate the effect of the intervention on stress-related outcomes, compared to a control, after 2 weeks. The study adopted a preregistered randomized controlled trial design. University students (N = 150) attended a research laboratory twice over 2 weeks, receiving the intervention or control condition stimuli in Session 1, and completing measures in both sessions. Academic performance data was collected from university records. Mixed model ANOVAs revealed a large-sized difference in stress mindset among intervention group participants immediately following the intervention and at the follow-up relative to controls. There were also robust effects of the intervention on perceived distress, positive and negative affect, proactive behavior, and academic performance at the follow-up in individuals with high baseline perceived distress, although not in the whole sample. Findings indicate that the intervention is a promising approach for changing individuals' stress mindset and that changing stress mindset can have beneficial effects on coping with ecological stressors. Future research should use intensive longitudinal designs to examine momentary activation of stress mindset and responses to ecological stress.

Details

Title: Changing Stress Mindsets With a Novel Imagery Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jacob Keech (Corresponding Author) - Griffith University
Martin S Hagger (Author) - University of California, United States
Kyra Hamilton (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Emotion, Vol.21(1), pp.123-136
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1037/emo0000678
ISSN: 1528-3542
Copyright note: Copyright © American Psychological Association, 2019. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without authors' permission. The final article will be available, upon publication, via its DOI: 10.1037/emo0000678
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450846402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Experimental

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