Vividness of mental imagery in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The role of depression

The present study aimed to investigate demographics, trauma variables, PTSD symptomatology, co-morbid psychopathology, dissociation and personality variables as correlates of vividness of imagery (i.e. general ability to imagine objects) in people with PTSD. Participants were 98 outpatients with PTSD who completed a number of self- and assessor-rated measures. Vividness of imagery was assessed using the Betts' Questionnaire Upon Imagery (QMI). Regression analysis showed that the only statistically significant predictor of mental imagery was depression, as measured by the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The implications of these results for the management of depression in people with PTSD are discussed.