Exploring the Conceptual Structure of Mental Representations in Individuals with Specific Phobia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze the conceptual structure of mental representations in individuals with specific phobia using a qualitative phenomenological approach. The research employed a qualitative design based on interpretive phenomenology. Nineteen individuals with specific phobia from Tehran were selected through purposive sampling based on defined inclusion criteria. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo software. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Thematic analysis yielded three major categories: “Content of Phobic Mental Representations,” “Emotional Dimensions of Representations,” and “Ineffective Mental Coping Strategies.” Subthemes included threatening imagery, feelings of helplessness, shame, mental avoidance, and negative inner dialogue. Participants reported exaggerated, multi-sensory, and often traumatic mental images that were associated with intense emotions such as panic, helplessness, and humiliation, resulting in maladaptive cognitive responses. The findings revealed that mental representations in specific phobia are complex and multidimensional, playing a key role in the maintenance and intensity of anxiety. Understanding these representations can inform the development of targeted cognitive-imagery interventions and enhance the effectiveness of psychological treatments.