Expressive writing in context: The effects of a confessional setting and delivery of instructions on participant experience and language in writing

Authors: Corter, Arden L.¹; Petrie, Keith J.¹

Source: British Journal of Health Psychology, Volume 13, Number 1, February 2008 , pp. 27-30(4)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

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Abstract:

ObjectivesManipulations of the setting and instructions were tested for effects on language use and reported health following expressive writing (EW).

MethodsParticipants (N=76) wrote in one of three conditions that differed by setting and the delivery of writing instructions.

ResultsThe results showed that altering the context for EW influences participants' language use and their perceptions of the experience. There was no effect of conditions on self-reported health.

ConclusionsFuture research should attend to the ways in which manipulations of EW context affect proposed mediators such as language, as well as outcomes of EW.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/135910707X250929

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

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