THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXPRESSIVE WRITING AND STRESS

Expressive Writing and Stress

Abstract

The purpose of this report was to study the relationship between expressive writing and stress. This study utilised the standardized DASS-21 self report questionnaire. All questions were related to the amount of depression, anxiety, and stress related to a person's life during a certain time period. There were two groups. The control did not participate in the writing exercise. The treatment group was given specific instructions for completing three days of expressive writing. The link also included the informed consent, writing instructions, and stress questionnaire (DASS-21). The research was concluded over three specific dates. October 12, 13, and 14 were used so that everyone completed the study at the same time. Based on results this study was not able to support that writing does, in fact reduce stress. In this instance the null hypothesis had to be supported probably due to the lack of participants to complete the study as directed.

Expressive Writing and Stress

Introduction

For centuries people have written poems, novels, and journal entries as a way to help them cope with disturbing personal events. Psychologists, on the other hand, have traditionally followed Freud's lead and favored a “talking cure.” The idea that a “writing cure” may be at least as powerful was left unexplored until the mid-1980s, when researchers discovered that asking people to write about traumatic experiences improved their mental and physical health.

A Typical Expressive Writing Exercise

Most written disclosure studies have used the same basic procedure. Researchers arrange for people to come into the research lab on each of about 4 or 5 days. On the first day, the experimenter divides people randomly into two groups. Everyone is asked to write for 20 minutes each day, but the topic depends on which group they are in. Those in the expressive writing group are told something like this:

I would like for you to write about your very deepest thoughts and feelings about an extremely important emotional issue that has affected you and your life. In your writing, I'd like you to really let go and explore your very deepest emotions and thoughts. You might tie your topic to your relationships with others, including parents, lovers, friends, or relatives; to your past, your present, or your future; or to who you have been, who you would like to be, or who you are now. You may write about the same general issues or experiences or on different topics each day. All of your writing will be completely confidential. Don't worry about spelling, sentence structure, or grammar. The only rule is that once you begin writing, continue to do so until your time is up.

The remaining people in the study serve as a control group. Control participants write about nonemotional topics, such as how they manage their time. Neither group receives feedback about their writing. All participants are followed over a period of weeks or months to see if a difference in physical or mental health appears between the ...