The Futures We Want: How Goal-Directed Imagination Relates to Mental Health

Abstract

Imagination is an adaptive ability that can be directed towards the pursuit of personal goals. While there is a wealth of research on goals, and on imagination, few studies lie at the intersection—little is known about individual differences in goal-directed imagination. In 153 adults, we examined how 28 aspects of goal setting and goal-directed imagination relate to mental health. Higher well-being and lower depressive symptoms were strongly linked to having goals that were more attainable, under control, and expected to bring more joy; and to goal-directed imagination that was clearer, more detailed, and more positive. These variables also predicted greater goal progress two months later. Importantly, having more intrinsically rewarding goals predicted a decrease in depressive symptoms over time, while more positive imagination predicted an increase in well-being. These findings contribute to our understanding of goal-directed imagination, and highlight potential targets for goal- and imagery-based interventions to improve mental health.

Promoting farsighted decisions via episodic future thinking: A meta-analysis.

“…Specifically, our analysis highlights the effectiveness of positive future imaginings. Targeted attempts to foster such EFT may particularly benefit individuals who tend to have a less positive imagination of the future as is often the case in depression (Gamble et al, 2019(Gamble et al, , 2021; see also Ji et al, 2017;Renner et al, 2017). A similar problem may arise for other groups of people that are deficient in EFT, such as long-term opiate users (Mercuri et al, 2015).…”

“…Although our data show that individuals with greater choice impulsivity benefit from this mechanism, this may not be the case for people with emotional disorders such as anxiety or depression. They often find it more difficult to conjure positive imaginings of the future (Gamble et al, 2019), suggesting that they would also struggle in creating a positive mental image of the delayed reward (but see also Ji et al, 2017;Renner et al, 2017). Publication Bias.…”

How malleable are cognitive abilities? A critical perspective on popular brief interventions.

“…For example, economies might thrive in contexts where individuals believe they can change beyond what science suggests, in a dynamic that encourages them to surpass themselves. Yet this view ignores the psychological cost of failure (Nathan, 2017)-individuals who constantly fall short of expectations, both theirs and those set by society, are on average less happy (Bühler et al, 2019), more depressed (Gamble et al, 2019), and less likely to hold a job (Lallukka et al, 2019), all aspects which themselves hinder success (Shamir, 1986) and prosperity (Radcliff, 2001). The cost is not just individual; distorted expectations also generate an unnecessary burden for society.…”

Obstacles vs. Resources - Comparing the Effects of a Problem-Focused, Solution-Focused and Combined Approach on Perceived Goal Attainability and Commitment

“…Given the benefits of PGA for both wellbeing and goal pursuit (e.g. Boudrenghien et al 2012;Gamble et al 2020;Huang et al 2017), this may be an important finding.…”

“…They found that "the positive effect of goal commitment on subjective well-being….disappeared or even changed direction when the educational goal was perceived as unattainable" (Boudrenghien et al 2012, p.158). In their study of goals and mental health, Gamble et al (2020) found that PGA was not only the strongest predictor of subsequent goal progress but also an extremely strong predictor of positive mental health and lower depressive symptoms.…”