The spit-face scenario: Inducing Contamination-Based Disgust and Anxiety and Investigating the Effects of Imagery Rescripting in an Online Experiment.
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| Title: | The spit-face scenario: Inducing Contamination-Based Disgust and Anxiety and Investigating the Effects of Imagery Rescripting in an Online Experiment. |
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| Authors: | Kühne, Franziska (AUTHOR), Hobrecker, Lea Kathrin (AUTHOR), Fink-Lamotte, Jakob (AUTHOR), Meissner, Claudia (AUTHOR), Zirngibl, Alina (AUTHOR), Weck, Florian (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Cognitive Therapy & Research. Dec2025, Vol. 49 Issue 6, p1312-1321. 10p. |
| Subjects: | Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Anxiety, Mental imagery, Sensory perception, Visualization, Randomized controlled trials, Aversion |
| Abstract: | Background: In the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), imagery rescripting (ImRs) is considered promising. However, there is a paucity of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) with active control groups in this context. Methods: We developed an audio imagery, which we refer to as the spit-face scenario, to induce disgust without any sexual content. In an online RCT, we then investigated disgust (SDQ-13, visual analogue scale (VAS)) and anxiety (STAI-SKD, VAS) in participants reporting at least mild OC symptoms after one of three manipulations, ImRs (n = 34), imagery focus (n = 25) or distraction (n = 34). Results: The spit-face scenario significantly induced disgust, e.g., comparable with watching a disgusting film, and over 70% of the participants were able to vividly visualize and follow the scenario effectively. Although ImRs and distraction reduced disgust, it did not decline following imagery focus (e.g., SDQ-13, F-HF = 86.600 (1.756), p <.001, f = 0.98). Whereas disgust performed similarly in the SDQ-13 and the VAS, there were slightly different patterns in the anxiety measures. Conclusions: Although the results might suggest an effect of a one-session online ImRs audio manipulation, the question remained if ImRs had a differential effect beyond distraction. The results thus underline the need to conduct further research on the active elements of ImRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: In the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), imagery rescripting (ImRs) is considered promising. However, there is a paucity of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) with active control groups in this context. Methods: We developed an audio imagery, which we refer to as the spit-face scenario, to induce disgust without any sexual content. In an online RCT, we then investigated disgust (SDQ-13, visual analogue scale (VAS)) and anxiety (STAI-SKD, VAS) in participants reporting at least mild OC symptoms after one of three manipulations, ImRs (n = 34), imagery focus (n = 25) or distraction (n = 34). Results: The spit-face scenario significantly induced disgust, e.g., comparable with watching a disgusting film, and over 70% of the participants were able to vividly visualize and follow the scenario effectively. Although ImRs and distraction reduced disgust, it did not decline following imagery focus (e.g., SDQ-13, F-HF = 86.600 (1.756), p <.001, f = 0.98). Whereas disgust performed similarly in the SDQ-13 and the VAS, there were slightly different patterns in the anxiety measures. Conclusions: Although the results might suggest an effect of a one-session online ImRs audio manipulation, the question remained if ImRs had a differential effect beyond distraction. The results thus underline the need to conduct further research on the active elements of ImRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 01475916 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10608-025-10597-y |
