Measuring the Subjective Signal Strength: Validating Persian Vividness of Visual Mental Imagery Questionnaire‐2

Introduction Although visual mental imagery has been widely researched, a lack of valid measures in Persian‐speaking populations has limited cross‐cultural, developmental, and clinical research on imagery vividness and its role in reality monitoring. Methods We translated, culturally adapted, and psychometrically validated the Persian version of the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire‐2 (VVIQ‐Pr2) in this cross‐sectional study. Our sample was 630 Persian speakers. Participants completed the VVIQ‐Pr2 together with the Vividness of Motor Imagery Questionnaire (VMIQ‐2), the Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7), and the Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). Confirmatory factor analysis and multi‐group modeling were also conducted. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure with correlated residuals demonstrating excellent model fit. The scale showed strong internal consistency. Convergent validity was confirmed by positive correlations with VMIQ‐2 and SUIS, while discriminant validity was supported by negligible associations with anxiety and all Heterotrait–Monotrait ratios falling below recommended thresholds. Scalar measurement invariance across gender was established with females scoring slightly higher than males. Finally, age modeling revealed a slight decrease in the vividness of imagery from adolescence to early adulthood, followed by relative stability after that. Conclusion The VVIQ‐Pr2 is a psychometrically reliable assessment tool for Persian speakers. In addition to operationalizing subjective visual experience in theories on reality monitoring, it may facilitate future cross‐cultural and developmental research.