The effects of structured writing assignments on processing stressful life events: an uncontroled study

Authors
  • M. Schoutrop
  • A. Lange
  • G. Hanewald
  • C. Duurland
Publication date 1997
Journal Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Volume | Issue number 4 | 3
Pages (from-to) 179-185
Number of pages 7
Organisations
  • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) - Psychology Research Institute (PsyRes)
Abstract
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.
Document type Article
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0879(199709)4:3<179::AID-CPP123>3.0.CO;2-C
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