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.