Effects of expressive writing among bilinguals: exploring psychological well-being and social behaviour

Br J Health Psychol. 2008 Feb;13(Pt 1):43-7. doi: 10.1348/135910707X251225.

Abstract

Eighty-nine Korean-English and Spanish-English bilingual students expressively wrote in their native language, English, or both languages on four occasions or were assigned to a non-writing control group. In addition to self-reports of adjustment, participants wore a recording device that sampled their natural language at 30-second intervals every 12.5 min for 2 days both prior to and 1 month after the experiment. Overall, those assigned to the language switching condition showed the greatest improvements in adjustment and social engagement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Expressed Emotion*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multilingualism*
  • Narration*
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Writing*