Expressive Writing for High-Risk Drug Dependent Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Baikie Karen A, WIlhelm Kay, Johnson Beverley, Boskovic Mary, Wedgwood Lucinda, Finch Adam, Huon Gail
Primary Institution: School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Hypothesis
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of a brief expressive writing intervention for high-risk drug dependent patients in a primary care clinic.
Conclusion
Although no significant benefits in physical and psychological health were found, improvements in psychological wellbeing were associated with certain writing styles and expressive writing was deemed acceptable by high-risk drug dependent patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants rated the writing sessions as beneficial, with 86% finding it useful.
- Improvements in psychological wellbeing were associated with the use of more positive emotion words in writing.
- Flexibility in first person pronoun use was linked to improvements in anxiety.
Takeaway
This study looked at how writing about feelings can help people who use drugs. Even though it didn't show big health improvements, the people who tried it thought it was helpful.
Methodology
Participants completed four 15-minute expressive writing tasks over a week, describing their thoughts and feelings about a recent stressful event, with health measures taken at baseline and two weeks later.
Potential Biases
Participants may have written about less emotionally salient events, limiting potential health benefits.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and high attrition, which limited its power to detect significant effects.
Participant Demographics
53 participants (25 females, mean age 34.1, range 20–54) were recruited, with a diverse educational background and living situations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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