scholarly journals Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Baikie ◽  
Kay Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Therapeutic Tool ◽  
Writing Paradigm ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Emotional Events ◽  
Do So

Writing about traumatic, stressful or emotional events has been found to result in improvements in both physical and psychological health, in non-clinical and clinical populations. In the expressive writing paradigm, participants are asked to write about such events for 15–20 minutes on 3–5 occasions. Those who do so generally have significantly better physical and psychological outcomes compared with those who write about neutral topics. Here we present an overview of the expressive writing paradigm, outline populations for which it has been found to be beneficial and discuss possible mechanisms underlying the observed health benefits. In addition, we suggest how expressive writing can be used as a therapeutic tool for survivors of trauma and in psychiatric settings.

A pilot study on the effects and feasibility of compassion-focused expressive writing in Day Hospice patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Imrie ◽  
Nicholas A. Troop
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Causal Reasoning ◽  
The Self ◽  
Writing Intervention ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Hospice Patients ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Expressive Writing Intervention

AbstractObjective:Research has found that writing about stress can confer physical and psychological health benefits on participants and that adopting a self-compassionate stance may have additional benefits. This pilot study evaluated a self-compassionate expressive writing intervention in a Day Hospice setting.Method:Thirteen patients with life-limiting illnesses wrote on two occasions about recent stressful experiences. Half also received a self-compassion instruction for their writing. Outcome measures were taken at baseline and one week after the second writing session, and text analysis was used to identify changes in the types of words used, reflecting changes in psychological processes.Results:Patients given the self-compassion instruction increased in their self-soothing and self-esteem in contrast to patients in the stress-only condition. Happiness broadly increased in both groups although reported levels of stress generally increased in patients given the self-compassion instruction but decreased in patients in the stress-only condition. Those given the self-compassion instruction also increased in their use of causal reasoning words across the two writing sessions compared with those in the stress-only condition.Significance of Results:Expressive writing appears to be beneficial in patients at a hospice and was viewed as valuable by participants. The inclusion of a self-compassion instruction may have additional benefits and a discussion of the feasibility of implementing expressive writing sessions in a Day Hospice is offered.

Expressive Writing and Stress-Related Disorders

2018 ◽  
pp. 704-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Wilhelm ◽  
Joanna Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Health Domains ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Emotional Events ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Expressive writing (EW) was developed in the 1980s by Pennebaker and colleagues, who defined it as “writing focusing on traumatic, stressful or emotional events, and the feelings inspired by these.” There have been developments in terms of process, covering a range of instructions, target groups, and writing conditions and, more recently, benefit-finding writing (BFW) about benefits derived from stress or traumatic situations. EW has now been trialed across a broad range of situations, involving mental and physical health domains. Results from meta-analyses find small but significant improvements more related to physical health than mental health parameters. It is thought to be best suited to people with mild-to-moderate psychological distress who are addressing stress-related conditions and situations. The chapter describes common forms of EW and explores the place of BFW. Some mechanisms for expressive writing are discussed, but these are still speculative.

scholarly journals Perceived Physical and Psychological Health in Middle Adulthood : Links to Marital Satisfaction, Age of Marriage, and SES

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-54
Author(s):  
Nilay Pekel Uludağlı ◽  
Şeyda Pekçetin
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Marital Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Marital Relationship ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Middle Adulthood ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Age Of Marriage

Background: The life course health development approach, as a new theoretical model relating to health, dwells on psychosocial factors as well as biological factors, and it proposes that the effects of developmental timing unfolding over one’s lifespan should be considered. Based on this theoretical model, as well as empirical studies relating to marriage and health, one of the psychosocial factors that may contribute to the health of middle-aged individuals is the marital relationship. Aims: The aim of this study – conducted with individuals in middle adulthood – is to investigate the relationships between marital satisfaction, age at the time of marriage, SES (socioeconomic status) and psychological and physical health. Method: Data was collected from middle-aged individuals between 40–69 years in Turkey (160 women and 142 men). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Tool, Brief Symptom Inventory, Marriage Life Scale, and a Demographic Information Form were used to assess the participants’ perceived physical and psychological health, their marital satisfaction, their age of marriage, and SES. Results: A path analysis indicated that the age of marriage was positively related, and perceived psychological health problems were negatively related to perceived physical health. Both marital satisfaction and SES were negatively related to perceived psychological health problems. Upon examination of the mediator role of psychological health problems and SES, it was observed that both marital satisfaction and SES were related to perceived physical health through perceived psychological health problems. Also, the age of marriage was related to perceived psychological health problems via SES. Conclusion: The findings showed that marriage is an important component in the evaluation of perceived health in middle age; individuals are healthier when they get married at a more mature age and have a positive marital relationship.

Does emotional disclosure have any effects? A systematic review of the literature with meta-analyses

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Meads ◽  
Arie Nouwen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Emotional Disclosure ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Jadad Score ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objectives:Emotional disclosure has been widely publicized as having beneficial effects on physical and psychological health. A full systematic review was undertaken, with standard health technology appraisal methods, with the aim to assess the effects of emotional disclosure on healthy participants and those with pre-existing morbidity, particularly on longer-term physical health, performance, and psychological outcomes.Methods:Randomized controlled trials of emotional disclosure were obtained from database searches (Medline (1966–2003), Embase (1980–2003), Cochrane Library (2002, issue 4), Web of Science (1981–2003), Cinahl (1982–2003), and Theses (March 2003), Internet sites (including Professor J.W. Pennebaker's home pages), and personal contacts. Quality was assessed qualitatively and by Jadad score. Meta-analysis was conducted, using Revman 4.1 software, where more than two trials reported the same outcome.Results:Sixty-one trials were found meeting the inclusion criteria. Most had less than 100 participants and the median Jadad score was 0. A wide variety of physical, physiological, immunological, performance, and psychological outcomes were measured, but fewer were reported. There was no clear improvement for emotional disclosure compared with controls in objectively measured physical health and most other outcomes assessed.Conclusions:The opinion that this intervention is beneficial needs to be reassessed in light of the totality of evidence available.

scholarly journals A Meta-Analysis of Expressive Writing on Posttraumatic Stress, Posttraumatic Growth, and Quality of Life

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Pavlacic ◽  
Erin M. Buchanan ◽  
Nicholas P. Maxwell ◽  
Tabetha G. Hopke ◽  
Stefan E. Schulenberg
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Growth ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Effect Sizes

Expressive writing is beneficial for promoting both positive psychological and physical health outcomes. Unfortunately, inhibiting emotions is related to impairments in psychological and physical health. James Pennebaker and others have used expressive writing as an experimental manipulation to gauge its efficacy in treating a wide variety of physical and psychological outcomes. While many studies have been conducted that examine the efficacy of expressive writing across such outcomes, a considerable amount of these studies tend to neglect necessary considerations, such as different levels of symptomatology, power, and meaningfulness of respective effect sizes. Six previous meta-analyses have been conducted that examine expressive writing’s effect on psychological outcomes. However, these studies focus on the experimental versus control group effect size. Thus, our meta-analysis sought to examine the efficacy of an expressive writing task on only the experimental conditions in studies measuring posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and quality of life using random effects models. Results indicated a small overall effect size for posttraumatic stress and negligible to small effect sizes for posttraumatic growth and quality of life. However, those studies requiring a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibited a medium to large effect size. Implications for future research design and interpretation of published research are discussed.

scholarly journals The Current Health and Wellbeing of the Survivors of the Rana Plaza Building Collapse in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humayun Kabir ◽  
Myfanwy Maple ◽  
Md Shahidul Islam ◽  
Kim Usher
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Building Collapse ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Emotional Outcomes ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study aims to identify the ongoing physical and psychological health vulnerabilities of the readymade garment (RMG) factory workers involved in the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013, along with their experiences within the current socioeconomic and political contexts of Bangladesh. Seventeen Rana Plaza survivors participated in unstructured, face-to-face, in-depth interviews. Interviews were thematically analyzed using Haddon’s matrix to examine pre-event, event, and post-event injury experiences. The collapse of the Rana Plaza building resulted in significant physical and emotional trauma for those who survived the event. The majority of the participants were forced to attend work on the day of the collapse. Participants reported physical health complaints related to bone injuries/fractures and amputation, severe headache, kidney problems, and functional difficulties. In addition to the reported physical health issues, the participants revealed psychological health issues including trauma, depression and suicidal ideation, sleep disorders, anxiety, and sudden anger. Participants described barriers to their potential for re-employment in the RMG sector and outlined their limited access to free healthcare for follow-up treatment. Those who survived the collapse of the Rana Plaza building continue to experience significant adverse physical and emotional outcomes related to the disaster. Yet, they have little recourse to ensure the availability of adequate health care and rehabilitation. Given the international reliance on the Bangladeshi RMG industry, continued pressure to ensure care is provided for these survivors, and to reduce the risk of future disasters, is necessary.

Study on Sports Games Based on Smart Materials

2014 ◽  
Vol 484-485 ◽  
pp. 22-25
Author(s):  
Juan Li
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Smart Materials ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health

Health has been an important topic on which the human being is very concerned. If the human civilization intends to pass on from generation to generation, the life must continue. As the juveniles and children are the successors of the future of mankind, therefore, their health has been paid more and more attention. As a survey showed, in recent years, China's juvenile physical health problems became more and more serious. With the decline of physical fitness, the psychological health is also severely affected. These problems would affect our future development. Education in form of sports games is an effective method for the juveniles, which can not only develop a fit body and a healthy mind of them, but also explore their intelligence and change their mentality. This article through the researches on sports games based on smart materials identifies the influence of sports games on the juvenile's physical and psychological health, intelligence and personality and so on, in hopes of playing an active role in guiding the juveniles health development.

Contradictory Effects of Social Support in Rehabilitation

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Murphy ◽  
Amanda Young
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Findings ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health

During the past two decades the concept of social support has become popular with health and rehabilitation researchers (see Veiel & Baumann, 1992). Major reviews of the social support literature which appeared in the 1980s (for example, Cohen & Wills, 1985) indicated that people who have socially supportive relationships are less likely to experience a wide range of negative physical and psychological health consequences and also that social support can play a 'buffering' role in protecting individuals from the pathogenic influence of stressful events. Subsequent to the encouraging tone of the early reviews of the positive health benefits of social support, recent writers (such as, Rook, 1992; Schwarzer & Leppin, 1992; Vinokur & van Ryn, 1993) have been much more restrained in their claims about the health benefits of social support and have pointed out that social support can, in some situations, be expected to have detrimental effects on particular individual achievements. The emerging 'negative' social support literature as it applies to rehabilitation is reviewed, together with an analysis of these negative findings from two distinct theoretical perspectives: the behavioural, and the social psychological.

scholarly journals In Their Own Voices

SAGE Open ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401244000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Ann Morrow ◽  
Sharon Clayman ◽  
Bonnie McDonagh
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Abuse Survivors ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Lost Productivity ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Healthy Functioning ◽  
Health Care Law

It is estimated that child abuse and neglect result in direct (e.g., health care, law enforcement, judicial system) and indirect (e.g., special education, lost productivity to society) costs of approximately 103 billion dollars each year. Why do some abuse survivors display healthy functioning as adults while others display a variety of physical and psychological health problems? It was the goal of this study to discover what positive influences, both internal and external, that individuals relied on to overcome childhood trauma. Five main themes emerged from the data. The five themes are as follows: Spirituality/Faith in God, Supportive Others, Therapeutic Relationships, Self-Determination, and Expressive Writing. A description of these themes and selected quotes from participants are described.

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