Harnessing Imagination in Reading to Improve Mental Health Treatments
Researchers from Durham University have developed the ReaderBank Imagination Quiz to understand how individual differences in imagination influence mental imagery and therapy, opening new avenues for personalized mental health treatments.
Recent research has highlighted the potential of understanding individual differences in imagination to enhance mental health therapies. Developed by Durham University, the ReaderBank Imagination Quiz explores how people visualize and experience stories, revealing four key 'forces' of imagination: space and vision, voice and language, people models, and perspective. These forces are intricately connected to mental imagery, immersion, daydreaming, and intrusive thoughts, reflecting the diverse ways individuals engage with reading.
The study involved 867 participants from Edinburgh International Book Festivals in 2023 and 2024, as well as an online group, all of whom completed detailed questionnaires about their reading habits and imaginative experiences. Findings demonstrated a 'radical diversity of imagination skills,' emphasizing the importance of tailoring mental health interventions to individual cognitive profiles.
Lead researcher Professor Ben Alderson-Day emphasizes that this diversity encompasses multiple senses and modes of engagement, often occurring subconsciously during reading. He notes that mental health conditions often involve uncontrolled thoughts, memories, and ideas, which can be influenced by one’s imaginative tendencies. Currently, many psychotherapy approaches rely on imagination, but they rarely assess a client’s unique imagining style.
The goal is to use tools like the ReaderBank Imagination Quiz to gain insights into how different individuals' imaginations work, enabling the development of more precise, personalized therapeutic strategies. The research underscores that understanding these imaginative variations could significantly impact approaches to recovery and resilience in mental health care.
Presented at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, this early-stage research paves the way for future studies aiming to refine and apply imagination assessments in clinical settings, ultimately enhancing mental health treatment effectiveness.
The project is a collaboration between Durham University and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, showcasing how literature and cognitive research can intersect to improve psychological well-being.
For more information, visit https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-readers-mental-health-therapies.html.
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