Imagery Ability, Stress Appraisals, and Perceived Stress: The Feasibility of Layered Stimulus Response Training to Regulate Stress

Mastery and affect imagery ability are associated with facilitative stress appraisals, but there is scant research in non-athlete populations. Study 1 examined relationships between mastery and affect imagery ability with stress appraisals and perceived stress in a non-athlete population. Study 2 investigated the feasibility and acceptability of two-week layered stimulus response training (LSRT) to increase imagery ability, reduce stress, and elicit adaptive stress appraisals. In Study 1, 205 young adults ( Mage = 20.06, SD = 1.42) completed measures of imagery ability, perceived stress, and stress appraisals. In Study 2, 28 participants ( Mage = 21.04, SD = 1.67) completed the measures before and after a two-week LSRT intervention. Mastery and affect imagery ability were associated with challenge (positively) and threat (negatively) appraisals and perceived stress (negatively). LSRT was accepted and feasible with a high accrual, attendance, and engagement. Findings suggest LSRT could be effective for regulating stress in young adults.