Abstract
Purpose
Researchers have proposed that multiple factors such as hyperarousal, conditioning, worrying, or cortical arousal play roles in the predisposition to, initiation, and perpetuation of insomnia disorder. Previously, only a few studies investigated the differential effects of intrusive visual imagery (IVI) and intrusive verbal thoughts (IVT) on pre-sleep arousal or insomnia severity. The aim of the current cross-sectional study was to examine these effects as well as the moderator role of visual imagery ability (VIA) on the relationship between IVI and pre-sleep arousal.
Methods
A path model comprising the variables of IVI, IVT, pre-sleep arousal, and insomnia severity was tested with 166 of 1444 participants (Mage = 25.5, SD = 5.26) who were identified as having insomnia disorder based on a 12-question form corresponding to DSM-5 criteria for insomnia disorder and Insomnia Severity Index scores (≥ 8). The moderator role of VIA on the relationship between IVI and pre-sleep arousal was evaluated with a moderation analysis.
Results
It was found that IVI (β = 0.44, p < .001), but not IVT (β = 0.15, p = .12), significantly predicted pre-sleep arousal and pre-sleep arousal (β = 0.44, p < .001) significantly predicted insomnia severity. In addition, the indirect effect of IVI via pre-sleep arousal (IE = 0.19, p < .001) on insomnia severity was significant. Finally, the moderator role of VIA on the relationship between IVI and pre-sleep arousal (p = .07) was not significant.
Conclusions
IVI may play a more important role in insomnia disorder than IVT. Interventions targeting pre-sleep visual imagery can help poor sleepers alleviate insomnia severity.
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Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Change history
03 February 2024
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-024-10464-2
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Türkarslan, K.K., Çınarbaş, D.C. & Perogamvros, L. The Roles of Intrusive Visual Imagery and Verbal Thoughts in Pre-Sleep Arousal of Patients with Insomnia Disorder: A Path Model. Cogn Ther Res (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-023-10442-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-023-10442-0