Positive expressive writing is a therapeutic technique which has the potential to serve as a self-administered low-intensity psychology intervention for improving health and wellbeing. However, existing studies employ heterogeneous methods and investigate a wide range of health outcomes, which limits current understanding regarding the efficacy of positive writing interventions. This PhD programme aims to ascertain the optimal conditions under which positive writing interventions enhance wellbeing in non-clinical populations, specifically focusing on which techniques are most effective, the populations they work for, and the health outcomes most reliably benefited. To achieve this, various methodological approaches were employed including a systematic review of positive expressive writing studies, a Delphi study to determine the appropriateness of neutral writing as a control condition, a pilot/feasibility study to assess the effects of a brief positive writing intervention on state anxiety relative to a guided imagery intervention and neutral writing activity, and an online intervention study to assess the short and medium-term effects of a positive writing intervention and a guided imagery intervention on affect, anxiety and mental wellbeing. The findings from this programme suggest that positive expressive writing interventions are most effective for improving positive psychological wellbeing outcomes. In addition, positive witing about intensely positive experiences and guided imagery are effective for immediate improvements in state anxiety, positive affect and negative affect, and these effects are evident cross-culturally. There are no clear differences in intervention effectiveness depending on the number, spacing and duration of writing sessions. Issues regarding neutral writing as a control condition have been identified, therefore future researchers should justify their use of this control or administer a well-established intervention as a comparison. Dispositional mindfulness moderates the effectiveness of guided imagery on state anxiety. Further individual differences relating to emotional, cognitive and social factors might moderate intervention effectiveness, however further research is needed to replicate existing findings. The findings from this programme serve as a basis for future researchers to enhance the methodological rigor of expressive writing studies.
- expressive writing
- positive psychology intervention
- emotional disclosure
- guided imagery
- health
Identifying the optimal conditions for enhancing the efficacy of positive writing interventions to improve wellbeing
Hoult, L. (Author). 27 Jun 2024
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis