Thematic Analysis of Guided Imagery Scripts in a Multi-Health Behavior Change Intervention

Guided imagery is a mind-body technique that involves the controlled visualization of goals, behaviors, and desired outcomes. This secondary analysis aimed to identify themes in guided imagery scripts for the self-regulation of diet and stress management by overweight and obese women who were trying to lose weight. The guided imagery scripts were developed with the participants using prompts to elicit evocative emotional and sensory terms and phrases. Directed content analysis from 40 participants (21 to 51 years of age) was performed by 2 independent coders to develop a coding scheme, reach consensus, and identify major themes. Results showed 4 second-order themes for both stress reduction and food cravings. Major qualitative themes for stress reduction were imagined "special" places, body sensations and sensory descriptors, cognitive processes, and emotions. The four food cravings themes were foods and food types, body sensations/sensory descriptors, cognitive processes, and emotions. These results provide a framework for health care practitioners to develop simple to use guided imagery scripts to help women regulate stress and dietary behavior. Recommendations are made about how guided imagery techniques can be delivered in-person or digitally by nutritionists, psychologists, or health educators.