Writing-up Seeking research participants for a quick 10 minute online survey on mental imagery, emotions and substance use (alcohol/ drugs)!

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Acidton

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Jan 22, 2025
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Hi there,

My name's Gabriella Misiorek and I'm studying my honours year in Psychology at Federation University in Melbourne, Australia.

I'm looking to recruit people for my cross-sectional, correlational study that is investigating the relationship between mental imagery abilities, emotional regulation skills and alcohol and/or drug experiences. The study has been approved by the Federation University Ethics Committee.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether individual differences in mental imagery abilities (i.e., aphantasia, mid-range, hyperphantasia) influence an individual's propensity for problematic substance use, mediated by emotional regulation difficulties. Previous research has demonstrated that mental imagery can act as an emotional amplifier and is linked to emotional disorders, while difficulties in emotional regulation are strongly associated with problematic substance use. The theoretical framework underpinning this study is the Elaborated Intrusion (EI) theory of desire, which connects mental imagery with addiction. As the first study to explore these specific relationships, this research is exploratory in nature. Your participation would be greatly appreciated!

The survey can be found by clicking here: Click here to start survey!

Or alternatively click this link:
federation.syd1.qualtrics.com

Exploring the Mind’s Eye: Emotional Dysregulation as a Mediator Between Mental Imagery and Substance Use

We're seeking research volunteers aged 18-65 of any gender to help us explore the connections between mental imagery (the "mind's eye"), emotional regulation, and alcohol and drug experiences. Your input could make a big difference in understanding these important relationships!
federation.syd1.qualtrics.com

The majority of people finish the survey in 10-12 minutes, and it is easy to use.

This study is recruiting participants until 1st of March 2025 23rd of March, 2025. It's open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 65, and any gender, any location worldwide.

If you have any questions, or you would like further information regarding the project titled Exploring the Mind’s Eye: Emotional Dysregulation as a Mediator Between Mental Imagery and Substance Use please contact my supervisor:

Stacey Whitelaw of the Institute of Health and Welling
EMAIL: [email protected]

I can be contacted at [email protected] or via the Bluelight private messaging system.

Hope to speak to you soon,

Gabi
 
Last edited:
neversickanymore said:
Welcome to BL.. pretty cool topic.. Hey you want expand on what you are researching?

​

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Thank you! :) Essentially in my research project I am exploring whether someone's mental imagery abilities serve as a risk or protective factor for problematic substance use (eg. perhaps hyperphantasia a risk factor of problematic substance use)
 
Hello I tried to start the survey but I get this all the time: sorry an unexpected error ocurred
:/ Help please :c
 
Liser said:
Hello I tried to start the survey but I get this all the time: sorry an unexpected error ocurred
:/ Help please :c
Click to expand...
Hi! Thank you for letting me know, I've edited my post with an alternative link. You can click on the survey below here :)

federation.syd1.qualtrics.com

Exploring the Mind’s Eye: Emotional Dysregulation as a Mediator Between Mental Imagery and Substance Use

We're seeking research volunteers aged 18-65 of any gender to help us explore the connections between mental imagery (the "mind's eye"), emotional regulation, and alcohol and drug experiences. Your input could make a big difference in understanding these important relationships!
federation.syd1.qualtrics.com
 
neversickanymore said:
Possibly related to the fantasizing phase of the cycle of addiction?
Click to expand...
Yep! Essentially the key points of EI theory is that cravings/desire start with external and/or internal triggers (eg. emotions and associated thoughts), then the mental imagery amplifies the desire (as it engages our sensory systems), and finally the motivation to act to satisfy the craving
 
collectiveStraw said:
Hey, are there any interesting findings? Did you publish the paper yet?
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Hi!


I’m just starting the process of turning my thesis into a journal article - my first publication, so it’ll take a bit of time (so I've been told!)


One of the interesting findings was that mental imagery didn’t directly predict substance use, but it did indirectly through emotion dysregulation (full mediation). The effects were small in a community sample, but it lines up with EI and Emotional Amplification theory, and I’m planning to extend it with clinical groups and moderators in future work! :)
 
Hi that sounds promising!

I’d have thought so, hard to tell whether theres a causal relation between mental imagery capabilities and substance use since there are so many other factors and variables.

I read a lot about aphantasia, hyperphantasia etc. (also wrote my bachelor thesis on that topic), am on the lower end of mental imagery capabilities myself (especially visual) and really like to explore how those imagery capabilities can be influenced by drugs.
So I do think having aphantasia is one factor why I like to take drugs. It’s just unbelievable to me that other people do have mental imagery in their daily life and I just sometimes on a few substances in the right set and setting with a lot of luck and concentration.

Anyway, good luck with publishing and please send me the link when you’re done, I’d love to read it!
 
I tried I would have loved to see as I am a recovered opiate depend and alcohol depend addict and a current recreational user of thc and cocaine that also has recently struggled with mental issues and some lack of empathy towards people with similar life problems that aren’t recovered addicts
 
Acidton said:
Hi!


I’m just starting the process of turning my thesis into a journal article - my first publication, so it’ll take a bit of time (so I've been told!)


One of the interesting findings was that mental imagery didn’t directly predict substance use, but it did indirectly through emotion dysregulation (full mediation). The effects were small in a community sample, but it lines up with EI and Emotional Amplification theory, and I’m planning to extend it with clinical groups and moderators in future work! :)
Click to expand...
You still accepting subject is it too late to help you out?
 
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