Expressive Writing in Psychological Science

Perspect Psychol Sci. 2018 Mar;13(2):226-229. doi: 10.1177/1745691617707315. Epub 2017 Oct 9.

Abstract

The 1997 Psychological Science paper "Writing About Emotional Experiences as a Therapeutic Process" summarized the results of several expressive writing studies. Since the publication of the first expressive writing study in 1986, a number of discoveries had emerged that had both theoretical and clinical implications. The scientific and personal backstories of the research are discussed. Finally, several possible reasons are advanced to explain why this particular paper has been cited as much as it has.

Keywords: LIWC; creativity/imagination; emotion/affect; expressive writing; history; language/communication; trauma; treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.