Figure 3. Principal component analysis with promax rotation. The
two components are represented by circles and the different variables
are represented by boxes. Values within boxes and the thickness of
arrows going from variables to a component represent the strength of
loading on the two components. Blue indicates positive loading and
orange indicates negative loading; the loading values displayed in the
boxes are the positive direction loadings (blue arrows) corresponding to
the larger of the two loadings. Only loading values greater than 0.5 are
shown.
After examining the prevalence of mimicry and its relationship with
different sound categories, we sought to understand what role mimicry
has on misophonic distress and whether it was ‘automatic’ or under
voluntary control, utilizing the newly designed IMQ. In response to the
question related to control of mimicry, 80.4% of participants reported
that mimicking was under their control, and they performed it
deliberately (those that responded ‘sometimes’, ‘often’ or always’). In
terms of the effect of mimicking on distress, 68% reported that
mimicking provided relief from distress to triggers sounds and 60.4%
reported that the act of mimicking makes them feel under control. Figure
4 shows the distribution of participant responses on the different
questions in the IMQ.