The effects of structured writing assignments on overcoming major stressful events: an uncontrolled study
✍ Scribed by Mirjam Schoutrop; Alfred Lange; Gerrit Hanewald; Conny Duurland; Bob Bermond
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1997
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 105 KB
- Volume
- 4
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1063-3995
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
In the present study the effectiveness of writing assignments in the treatment of individuals who have suffered traumatic or stressful life events is investigated. Thirty-two undergraduates participated in the study. The treatment consisted of five writing sessions of 45 min duration that took place over a period of 2 weeks. Immediately following the intervention, subjects showed significant improvement in their ratings of depression, anxiety and fear. The positive effects of the treatment were still evident after a period of 8 weeks. Two possible explanations of the beneficial effects of writing assignments are discussed: self-confrontation and cognitive reappraisal.