The good, the bad, and the healthy: impacts of emotional disclosure of trauma on resilient self-concept and psychological distress

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2003 Oct;29(10):1236-44. doi: 10.1177/0146167203255228.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of disclosing traumas on resilient self-perceptions and psychological distress. Participants (N = 50) wrote about a traumatic life event or their plans for the next day and completed measures of resilience and distress before disclosing (pretest) and 3 months later (posttest). Results revealed that trauma participants increased in positive self-perceptions (mastery, personal growth, self-acceptance) and decreased in distress (depression, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, somatization) from pretest to posttest. Control participants showed no changes except for autonomy, on which they decreased. Results suggest that in addition to reducing psychological distress, disclosing traumas change self-perception, resulting in a more resilient self-concept.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events*
  • Linguistics
  • Male
  • Midwestern United States
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Regression Analysis
  • Self Concept*
  • Self Disclosure*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Writing