Validation of the Dutch Version of the Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire

Abstract

Mental imagery plays an important role in the onset and maintenance of psychological disorders as well as their treatment. Therefore, a reliable and valid measure of mental imagery is essential. Andrade and colleagues (2014) developed the Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire (PsiQ), which contains 35 items (long version) or 21 items (shortened version) measuring the vividness of mental imagery in seven different modalities: vision, sound, smell, taste, touch, bodily sensation, and emotion. Andrade et al. reported a seven-factor structure corresponding to the different modalities for both versions rather than a one-factor model measuring general mental imagery. The current paper reports on the translation and validation of the Dutch version of the PsiQ (PsiQ-NL-35 and PsiQ-NL-21). In two independent samples (student and mixed), the PsiQ-NL-35 showed excellent internal consistency, adequate model fit for the seven-factor model, and a poor fit for the one-factor model. Test-retest reliability (Study 1, student sample) was good. Construct validity (Study 2, mixed sample) was adequate. The PsiQ-NL-21 also showed excellent internal consistency, good test-retest reliability, adequate seven-factor model fit, and adequate construct validity. Measurement invariance between the Dutch and the English version was found, implying that both versions measure the same construct.