Visual mental imagery and symptoms of depression: Results from a large-scale web-based study.

Mental imagery may influence the onset and maintenance of depression, but specific mechanisms have not yet been determined. Methods: Nine hundred twelve participants completed questionnaires on positive and negative mental images, as well as images of injury and death that lead to positive emotions (ÒID-imagesÓ), and depressive symptomatology. The assessment was carried out online to reduce effects of social desirability. Mental images are clearly related to depression. Future research should focus on ID-images and their connection to suicide-risk in depressed patients.