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Procaccia R, Segre G, Tamanza G, Manzoni GM. Benefits of Expressive Writing on Healthcare Workers' Psychological Adjustment During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2021; 12:624176. [PMID: 33716890 PMCID: PMC7947213 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.624176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 outbroke in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and promptly became a pandemic worldwide, endangering health and life but also causing mild-to-severe psychological distress to lots of people, including healthcare workers (HCWs). Several studies have already showed a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic symptoms in HCWs but less is known about the efficacy of psychological interventions for relieving their mental distress. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the psychological adjustment of Italian HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to investigate the efficacy of an expressive writing (EW) intervention, based on Pennebaker's paradigmatic protocol, on their psychological adjustment; (3) to analyze if outcomes of EW vary in function of individual differences (age, gender, marital status, and baseline values of symptoms). Fifty-five HCWs were randomly assigned to one of two writing conditions: EW (n = 30) or neutral writing (NW; n = 25). Psychological adjustment (in terms of ptsd, depression and global psychopathology's symptoms, perceived social support, and resilience) was assessed before and after three writing sessions. Participants who received the EW intervention showed higher improvements in ptsd, depression, and global psychopathology symptoms. Improvements in EW group varied in function of age, gender, marital status, and baseline values: young, men, married participants and those who had higher baseline scores showed a higher reduction of psychological distress symptoms while women, single and those who had lower baseline value showed increased social support, and resilience. In conclusion, the EW intervention had positive effects which varied in function of individual differences on HCWs' psychological health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Segre
- Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Tamanza
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Stapleton CM, Zhang H, Berman JS. The Event-Specific Benefits of Writing About a Difficult Life Experience. EUROPES JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 17:53-69. [PMID: 33737974 PMCID: PMC7957853 DOI: 10.5964/ejop.2089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Previous research demonstrates that writing about life's difficult moments benefits the writer cognitively and emotionally. However, it is unclear whether the benefits of writing are specific to the event written about or whether the benefits are global. This study was designed to address this issue. Participants were 120 undergraduate students who had experienced at least two difficult life events. Participants were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Experimental participants wrote about one of these difficult events and control participants wrote about an interesting life event of their choosing. Experimental participants reported their positive and negative emotions as well as their cognitive avoidance and intrusion concerning the event written about and another event not written about. Control participants reported their emotions and cognitions concerning two difficult life events. All participants also reported their general distress. These assessments were done immediately after writing and one week later. The results indicated that experimental participants were emotionally stronger, less upset, and less cognitively avoidant about the particular difficult life event they wrote about compared to an event they did not write about. Similar comparisons between ratings of a written-about and a not-written-about event were not significant for passion, fear, and cognitive intrusion. There was evidence for a possible indirect effect of writing on general distress through changes in event-specific cognitions and emotions. Discussion of these results focuses on how writing may specifically help change a writer's feelings and thoughts about a particular situation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Westfield State University, Westfield, MA, USA
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Kreiner H, Levi-Belz Y. Self-Disclosure Here and Now: Combining Retrospective Perceived Assessment With Dynamic Behavioral Measures. Front Psychol 2019; 10:558. [PMID: 30984058 PMCID: PMC6447712 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Most previous research on self-disclosure (SD) focused on its perceived retrospective aspects using self-report questionnaires. Few studies investigated actual SD as reflected in interpersonal interaction. We propose a comprehensive approach that combines new objective and dynamic measures of SD that evaluate situated SD with the traditional measures that evaluate stable SD properties. As SD is essentially verbal, we build on linguistic parameters for assessing actual SD, including acoustic features such as intonation and fluency, and verbal features such as the particular choice of words. Critically, the new measures highlight SD here and now and may reveal transient situational factors that affect it, such as the dynamics of interpersonal interaction. Based on these measures, we propose a three-dimensional evaluation that can portray different profiles of SD and offer a better prediction of SD behavior in different situations. The theoretical and clinical implications of the proposed approach are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamutal Kreiner
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, Linguistic Cognition Lab, Ruppin Academic Center, Hadera, Israel
| | - Yossi Levi-Belz
- The Lior Tsfaty Center for Suicide and Mental Pain Studies, Ruppin, Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
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Kupeli N, Schmidt UH, Campbell IC, Chilcot J, Roberts CJ, Troop NA. The impact of an emotionally expressive writing intervention on eating pathology in female students. Health Psychol Behav Med 2018; 6:162-179. [PMID: 30009092 PMCID: PMC6030678 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2018.1491797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Previous research demonstrating emotional influences on eating and weight suggest that emotionally expressive writing may have a significant impact on reducing risk of eating pathology. This study examined the effects of writing about Intensely Positive Experiences on weight and disordered eating during a naturalistic stressor. Method: Seventy-one female students completed an expressive or a control writing task before a period of exams. Both groups were compared on BMI (kg/m2) and the Eating Disorder Examination – Questionnaire (EDE-Q) before the writing task and at 8-week follow-up. A number of secondary analyses were also examined (to identify potential mediators) including measures of attachment, social rank, self-criticism and self-reassurance, stress and mood. Results: There was a significant effect of intervention on changes in the subscales of the EDE-Q (p = .03). Specifically, expressive writers significantly reduced their dietary restraint while those in the control group did not. There was no significant effect of the intervention on changes in BMI or the other subscales of the EDE-Q (Eating, Weight and Shape Concern). There was also no effect of writing on any of the potential mediators in the secondary analyses. Discussion: Emotionally expressive writing may reduce the risk of dietary restraint in women but these findings should be accepted with caution. It is a simple and light touch intervention that has the potential to be widely applied. However, it remains for future research to replicate these results and to identify the mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kupeli
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - U H Schmidt
- Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
| | - I C Campbell
- Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
| | - J Chilcot
- Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK
| | - C J Roberts
- School of Health and Social Science, London South Bank University, London, UK
| | - N A Troop
- Department of Psychology and Sport Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
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Firpo-Perretti YM, Cohen MH, Weber KM, Brody LR. Past, present or future? Word tense and affect in autobiographical narratives of women with HIV in relation to health indicators. J Behav Med 2018; 41:875-889. [PMID: 29938385 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-018-9944-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study examined how the expression of positive and negative affect words and word tense in autobiographical narratives of 98 HIV+ women, predominantly African American, predicted undetectable HIV viral load (UDVL), CD4+ cells/mm3 counts and antiretroviral therapy medication (ART) adherence assessed concurrently (T1) and at 3 to 9-month follow-up (T2). Logistic regressions revealed that higher past tense words predicted worse odds of UDVL, CD4+ cells/mm3 above 350 at T1, and worse odds of 95% ART adherence at T2. However, using both high past tense words and high positive affect words predicted better odds of CD4+ cells/mm3 > 350 at T2. Higher future tense words predicted better odds of CD4+ cells/mm3 > 350 at T1. Additionally, using both high present tense words and negative affect words predicted better odds of UDVL at T1. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the quality of affect expression significantly interacts with temporal context to relate to the health of women with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudelki M Firpo-Perretti
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, Room 227, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Mardge H Cohen
- Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Hektoen Institute of Medicine, 2225 W. Harrison, Suite B, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathleen M Weber
- Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Hektoen Institute of Medicine, 2225 W. Harrison, Suite B, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leslie R Brody
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, Room 227, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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Mitigating Physiological Responses to Layoff Threat: An Experimental Test of the Efficacy of Two Coping Interventions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13030338. [PMID: 26999186 PMCID: PMC4809001 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13030338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to assess real-time physiological reactions to the threat of layoffs and to determine whether the use of an emotion-focused vs. problem-focused coping intervention would be more efficacious in attenuating these physiological reactions. A 2 (coping intervention) × 4 (within-subjects time points) mixed experimental design was used to test the hypotheses. Eighty-four undergraduates participated in this laboratory experiment during which their galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Analyses indicate that individuals instructed to utilize an emotion-focused coping strategy experienced a significantly greater decline in their GSR compared to those utilizing the problem-focused coping method. Results suggest organizations conducting layoffs might focus first on dealing with the emotional aftermath of downsizing before focusing on problem-solving tasks, such as resume writing and other traditional outplacement activities.
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Evaluating guilt and shame in an expressive writing alcohol intervention. Alcohol 2015; 49:491-8. [PMID: 26074424 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Expressive writing interventions have shown positive physical and psychological health benefits over time, with the presumed mechanism being emotional disclosure. However, work utilizing expressive writing in behavior change has been minimal. The current research applied the expressive writing paradigm to reduce drinking intentions among college students, and evaluated the role of event-related guilt and shame in intervention effects. College students (N=429) completed a baseline survey and were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Negative (write about a heavy drinking event that was negative); Positive (write about a heavy drinking event that was positive); or Neutral (write about their first day of college). After writing, readiness to change and future drinking intentions were assessed. Results revealed intervention effects on intended drinks per week and intended number of drinks during peak and typical drinking occasions. Participants in the negative condition also displayed higher levels of event-related guilt and shame. Results showed that guilt mediated intervention effects on readiness to change, which also mediated the association between guilt-reparative behavior and drinking intentions. Results provide initial support for an expressive writing intervention on alcohol use and underscore the importance of eliciting emotions associated with reparative behavior when considering negative past experiences and future behavior change.
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Development of a post-intensive care unit storytelling intervention for surrogates involved in decisions to limit life-sustaining treatment. Palliat Support Care 2014; 13:451-63. [PMID: 24524736 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951513001211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surrogates involved in decisions to limit life-sustaining treatment for a loved one in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at increased risk for adverse psychological outcomes that can last for months to years after the ICU experience. Post-ICU interventions to reduce surrogate distress have not yet been developed. We sought to (1) describe a conceptual framework underlying the beneficial mental health effects of storytelling, and (2) present formative work developing a storytelling intervention to reduce distress for recently bereaved surrogates. METHOD An interdisciplinary team conceived the idea for a storytelling intervention based on evidence from narrative theory that storytelling reduces distress from traumatic events through emotional disclosure, cognitive processing, and social connection. We developed an initial storytelling guide based on this theory and the clinical perspectives of team members. We then conducted a case series with recently bereaved surrogates to iteratively test and modify the guide. RESULTS The storytelling guide covered three key domains of the surrogate's experience of the patient's illness and death: antecedents, ICU experience, and aftermath. The facilitator focused on the parts of a story that appeared to generate strong emotions and used nonjudgmental statements to attend to these emotions. Between September 2012 and May 2013, we identified 28 eligible surrogates from a medical ICU and consented 20 for medical record review and recontact; 10 became eligible, of whom 6 consented and completed the storytelling intervention. The single-session storytelling intervention lasted from 40 to 92 minutes. All storytelling participants endorsed the intervention as acceptable, and five of six reported it as helpful. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Surrogate storytelling is an innovative and acceptable post-ICU intervention for recently bereaved surrogates and should be evaluated further.
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Beyer JA, Lumley MA, Latsch DV, Oberleitner LMS, Carty JN, Radcliffe AM. Computer-based written emotional disclosure: the effects of advance or real-time guidance and moderation by Big 5 personality traits. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2013; 27:477-93. [PMID: 24266598 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2013.868887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Standard written emotional disclosure (WED) about stress, which is private and unguided, yields small health benefits. The effect of providing individualized guidance to writers may enhance WED, but has not been tested. This trial of computer-based WED compared two novel therapist-guided forms of WED - advance guidance (before sessions) and real-time guidance (during sessions, through instant messaging) - to both standard WED and control writing; it also tested Big 5 personality traits as moderators of guided WED. Young adult participants (n = 163) with unresolved stressful experiences were randomized to conditions, had three, 30-min computer-based writing sessions, and were reassessed six weeks later. Contrary to hypotheses, real-time guidance WED had poorer outcomes than the other conditions on several measures, and advance guidance WED also showed some poorer outcomes. Moderator analyses revealed that participants with low baseline agreeableness, low extraversion, or high conscientiousness had relatively poor responses to guidance. We conclude that providing guidance for WED, especially in real-time, may interfere with emotional processing of unresolved stress, particularly for people whose personalities have poor fit with this interactive form of WED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Beyer
- a Department of Psychology , Wayne State University , 5057 Woodward Avenue, 7th Floor, Detroit , MI 48202 , USA
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10
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Abstract
AbstractLittle research has been undertaken to examine the empirical basis of commonly applied methods of posttrauma intervention. We propose that Pennebaker's work on structured disclosure of trauma provides a suitable analogue to explore questions of interest. The present study asks whether avoidance coping is likely to interfere with abbreviated disclosure of traumatic experiences. Subjects were 118 college students randomly allocated to either a one-session or four-session written trauma-disclosure condition. At 2 months postdisclosure, subjects with high avoidance coping within the one-session condition exhibited significantly more trauma-specific and physical symptoms than all other subjects. Avoidance coping significantly predicted trauma-specific symptoms at 2 months. These findings suggest that single session traumatic disclosure may not be useful for individuals with an avoidance style of coping.
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Slavin-Spenny OM, Cohen JL, Oberleitner LM, Lumley MA. The effects of different methods of emotional disclosure: differentiating post-traumatic growth from stress symptoms. J Clin Psychol 2010; 67:993-1007. [PMID: 21905025 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Research on emotional disclosure should test the effects of different disclosure methods and whether symptoms are affected differently than post-traumatic growth. We randomized 214 participants with unresolved stressful experiences to four disclosure conditions (written, private spoken, talking to a passive listener, talking to an active facilitator) or two control conditions. All groups had one 30-minute session. After 6 weeks, disclosure groups reported more post-traumatic growth than controls, and disclosure conditions were similar in this effect. All groups decreased in stress symptoms (intrusions, avoidance, psychological and physical symptoms), but disclosure did not differ from control. We conclude that 30 minutes of disclosure leads to post-traumatic growth but not necessarily symptom reduction, and various disclosure methods have similar effects. Research on the effects of disclosure should focus on the benefits of growth as well as symptom reduction.
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12
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Sloan DM, Feinstein BA, Marx BP. The durability of beneficial health effects associated with expressive writing. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2010; 22:509-23. [PMID: 19333797 DOI: 10.1080/10615800902785608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the durability of benefits associated with expressive writing. Sixty-eight college undergraduates completed measures of physical and psychological health at the beginning of their first year and were then randomized to either an expressive writing or a control writing condition. Changes in physical health, psychological health (i.e., depression, stress, and anxiety), and academic performance were assessed two, four, and six months later. Findings indicated that participants assigned to the expressive writing condition reported less depression symptom severity at the two-month follow-up assessment relative to participants assigned to the control condition. However, these symptom reductions were not observed at any of the subsequent follow-up assessments. No significant changes were reported for physical health complaints, stress symptoms,anxiety symptoms, or academic performance. These findings suggest that,among first-year college students, expressive writing may provide some shortterm relief for certain symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise M Sloan
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare Systems, 150 S. Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, USA.
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Tavakoli S, Lumley MA, Hijazi AM, Slavin-Spenny OM, Parris GP. Effects of assertiveness training and expressive writing on acculturative stress in international students: A randomized trial. J Couns Psychol 2009; 56:590-596. [PMID: 20357910 DOI: 10.1037/a0016634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
International university students often experience acculturative stress, and culturally appropriate techniques to manage stress are needed. This randomized trial tested the effects of group assertiveness training, private expressive writing, their combination, and a wait-list control on the acculturative stress, affect, and health of 118 international students at an urban North American university. Interventions were conducted at the start of a semester, and assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of the semester. Group assertiveness training was rated positively by students and led to lower negative affect, whereas expressive writing was less well received and led to higher homesickness and fear, but also to higher positive affect. The combined intervention had no effects, perhaps because the 2 components negated each other. It is concluded that group assertiveness training improves emotional adjustment of international students but that expressive writing has mixed effects and needs further development and study. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Keefe FJ, Somers TJ, Martire LM. Psychologic interventions and lifestyle modifications for arthritis pain management. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2008; 34:351-68. [PMID: 18638681 PMCID: PMC2603303 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2008.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This article provides an overview of self-management interventions used to manage pain in patients who have arthritis. The article is divided in two major sections. The first section reviews psychologic interventions used to manage arthritis pain, including pain-coping skills training and cognitive behavioral therapy for pain management, emotional disclosure interventions, and partner-assisted interventions. The second section addresses lifestyle behavioral weight loss interventions used to reduce arthritis pain. In each section, the authors briefly describe the rationale and nature of the interventions, present data on their efficacy, and highlight potential future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis J. Keefe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Medical Center, Address: Duke Pain Prevention and Treatment Research Program, 2200 Main St., Durham, NC 27705.
| | - Tamara J. Somers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Medical Center, Address: Duke Pain Prevention and Treatment Research Program, 2200 Main St., Durham, NC 27705.
| | - Lynn M. Martire
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Address: 121 University Place, Room 508, University Center for Social & Urban Research, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260. E-mail:
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Gillis ME, Lumley MA, Mosley-Williams A, Leisen JCC, Roehrs T. The health effects of at-home written emotional disclosure in fibromyalgia: a randomized trial. Ann Behav Med 2006; 32:135-46. [PMID: 16972811 PMCID: PMC2935262 DOI: 10.1207/s15324796abm3202_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence and severity of the chronic pain syndrome fibromyalgia (FM) is associated with unresolved stress and emotional regulation difficulties. Written emotional disclosure is intended to reduce stress and may improve health of people with FM. PURPOSE This study tests the effects of at-home, written emotional disclosure about stressful experiences on the health of people with FM and uses multiple follow-ups to track the time course of effects of disclosure. METHODS Adults with FM (intention-to-treat, n=83; completers, n=72) were randomized to write for 4 days at home about either stressful experiences (disclosure group) or neutral time management (control group). Group differences in immediate mood effects and changes in health from baseline to 1-month and 3-month follow-ups were examined. RESULTS Written disclosure led to an immediate increase in negative mood, which did not attenuate across the 4 writing days. Repeated-measures analyses from baseline to each follow-up point were conducted on both intention-to-treat and completer samples, which showed similar outcomes. At 1 month, disclosure led to few health benefits, but control writing led to less negative affect and more perceived support than did disclosure. At 3-month follow-up, these negative affect and social support effects disappeared, and written disclosure led to a greater reduction in global impact, poor sleep, health care utilization, and (marginally) physical disability than did control writing. Interpretation of these apparent benefits needs to be made cautiously, however, because the disclosure group had somewhat poorer health than controls at baseline and the control group showed some minor worsening over time. CONCLUSIONS Written emotional disclosure can be conducted at home, and there is tentative evidence that disclosure benefits the health of people with FM. The benefits, however, may be delayed for several months after writing and may be of limited clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazy E Gillis
- Department of Psychoogy, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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Packard BWL, Conway PF. Methodological Choice and Its Consequences for Possible Selves Research. IDENTITY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY AND RESEARCH 2006. [DOI: 10.1207/s1532706xid0603_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Abstract
The present study examined the relations between indicators of emotional processing (e.g. trauma narratives), posttraumatic stress symptoms, and psychological distress in two military samples (N = 120) exposed to significant training accidents. Trauma narratives were collected at 2-3 weeks, while outcome measures (e.g. IES-15, PTSS-10, and GHQ-30) were collected at 2-3 weeks, and 4 months after the accidents. Emotional processing was indexed by the content of positive and negative emotional expressions in the trauma narratives. The results showed that positive emotional expressions were associated with lower levels of psychological distress, whereas negative emotional expressions were linked to trauma specific symptoms and psychological distress at 2-3 weeks. Negative emotional expressions explained between 6-8% of the variance in trauma specific symptoms at 2-3 weeks, and 11% of the variance in psychological distress symptoms at 4 months after the traumatic event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarle Eid
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Norway.
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Carroll R. Finding the Words to Say It: The Healing Power of Poetry. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2005; 2:161-172. [PMID: 15937556 PMCID: PMC1142208 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neh096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2005] [Revised: 03/19/2005] [Accepted: 04/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
My purpose in this paper is to help you experience for yourself the potential of poetry to heal by feeling its power through your own voice. Many people have an intuitive sense that voice in general and poetry in particular can be healing. We have all experienced the comfort of soothing words. Finding the words to articulate a traumatic experience can bring relief. A letter between friends who are fighting can heal a relational wound. People are frequently moved to write a poem in times of extremity. In mainstream culture there are subjects that are not talked about. They are taboo. For example, each of us is going to die, but we do not talk about dying. We are all in the dialogue of illness, death and dying, whether or not we are talking about it. Poetry gives us ways to talk about it. Multiple ways of utilizing poetry for healing, growth and transformation will be presented including the Poetry and Brain Cancer project at UCLA. Particular attention will be given to issues of Palliative care. The reader will be directed to the scientific evidence of the efficacy of utilizing expressive writing. The developing professional field of Poetry Therapy, and The National Association for Poetry Therapy will be discussed.
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Horn A, Mehl M. Expressives Schreiben als Copingtechnik: Ein Überblick über den Stand der Forschung. VERHALTENSTHERAPIE 2004. [DOI: 10.1159/000082837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Abel E, Rew L, Gortner EM, Delville CL. Cognitive reorganization and stigmatization among persons with HIV. J Adv Nurs 2004; 47:510-25. [PMID: 15312114 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03134.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a life-changing event, where persons must deal with a life-threatening, debilitating disease and its associated stigma and isolation. Studies over the past decade have shown that writing and talking about stressful and traumatic experiences, such as a life-threatening illness, causes emotions surrounding the trauma to change and to become cognitively reorganized. The result is a reduction in inhibition and change in basic cognitive and linguistic processes, which have contributed to meaningful behavioural, psychological, and physical health benefits across a variety of populations. AIMS To describe the construction of the Integrated Model of Health Promotion for persons with HIV/AIDS, and present initial empirical support of the model from a feasibility pilot study of women with HIV/AIDS. APPROACH The Integrated Model of Health Promotion is described and relevant literature in the field is reviewed. The model is implemented in a feasibility pilot study utilizing the emotional writing disclosure intervention. RESULTS Participants in the experimental condition demonstrated a promising pattern of cognitive reorganization, a reduced perception of stigma, and an improvement in mental health scores compared with the control condition. CONCLUSION Implications of these findings are discussed within the framework of the Integrated Model of Health Promotion. The model explores health and behavioural benefits associated with emotional writing in individuals with HIV/AIDS. The limited sample size of this pilot study precludes testing for significance. Further studies are required prior to the development of practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Abel
- School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78701, USA.
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