“The more I write, the better I write, and the better I feel about myself”: Mood Variability and Mood Regulation in Student Journalists and Creative Writers

Kohányi, Adèle

doi:10.1017/cbo9780511627101.005

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Overall, there was little support for hypothesis 4 and we conclude that participants with chronic mental health conditions are equally able to achieve emotional benefits from their participation in arts‐based groups as healthy adults. These findings expand upon earlier research showing that choir singing and creative writing enhanced positive emotions in general populations (Clift & Morrison, ; Coulton et al ., ; Kohanyi, ; Unwin et al ., ) and samples with mental health issues (Daykin et al ., ; Dingle et al ., ; Grocke et al ., ; Smyth et al ., ) and social marginalization (Bailey & Davidson, ; Dingle et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Creative writing is also associated with emotional experiencing and enhancement. A study on journalism and creative writing students found that writers experience an increase in positive emotions and decrease in arousal during writing, resulting in feeling more joyful and relaxed (Kohanyi, ). A review of writing research in clinical settings revealed evidence that disclosure of strong emotions through writing has the following health benefits: fewer health centre visits, lower depression, lower stress, fewer illness‐related behaviours, and improved role functioning (Smyth, Nazarian, & Arigo, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Choir singing and creative writing enhance emotion regulation in adults with chronic mental health conditions

Dingle

Williams

Jetten

et al. 2017

British J Clinic Psychol

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Individuals with chronic mental health conditions often experience difficulties in emotion processing Participation in arts-based groups was associated with significant increases in positive emotions although these were short-lived Negative emotion was significantly decreased during arts-based group activities, and sustained to the evening assessment Adults with chronic mental health conditions were equally able to derive emotional benefits as healthy adults.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choir singing and creative writing enhance emotion regulation in adults with chronic mental health conditions

Dingle

Williams

Jetten

et al. 2017

British J Clinic Psychol

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“…Arts‐based activities also bring about self‐discovery and self‐expression (Dingle et al, ; Van Lith et al, ). Moreover, singing (Chong, ) and creative writing (Kohanyi, ) can be intrinsically enjoyable and therefore enhance emotions. In fact, social connectedness may be facilitated through different mechanisms in the different activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Arts-based activities also bring about self-discovery and self-expression Van Lith et al, 2013). Moreover, singing (Chong, 2010) and creative writing (Kohanyi, 2009) While music and synchronisation may promote social connectedness in the choir (Koelsch, 2014), the more intimate self-disclosure involved in the creative writing group may have also promoted social connectedness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification with arts‐based groups improves mental wellbeing in adults with chronic mental health conditions

Williams

Dingle

Jetten

et al. 2018

J Applied Social Pyschol

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People experiencing chronic mental health conditions (CMHC) often report feeling socially marginalised. There is emerging evidence that social and mental wellbeing can be enhanced through participation in arts‐based programmes. In this paper, a social identity theoretical approach was applied to explore how participation in the arts may improve mental health in a longitudinal study. A one‐year prospective study of 34 choir members and 25 creative writing group members (Mage = 46, 51% female) with CMHC, involved three assessments of participants’ group identification and mental wellbeing, measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. The programmes were community‐based and facilitated by arts professionals. Multilevel modelling analyses demonstrated that participants’ mental wellbeing significantly improved over time. Greater identification with their arts‐based group (ABG) was significantly related to an increased rate of improvement in mental wellbeing. The trajectory of improvement in mental wellbeing did not differ between participants partaking in the choir or creative writing group. This study demonstrates that participation in ABGs can be effective in improving mental wellbeing in adults with chronic mental health problems, particularly for those who strongly identify with the group. This study supports ABG participation as an accessible component of mental health services.

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“…Therapeutic writing and poetry therapy have been recommended not only for those who are experiencing physical, social, and psychological problems first-hand (L'Abate & Sweeney, 2011), but also as a strategy for self-care for those at high risk of secondary post-traumatic stress disorder, such as domestic violence counsellors (Boone & Castillo, 2008). Furthermore, university students have been found to have decreased arousal, increased relaxation and increased positive emotions whilst engaged in creative writing (Kohanyi, 2009).…”

Section: Therapeutic Writing Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reading and writing for well‐being: A qualitative exploration of the therapeutic experience of older adult participants in a bibliotherapy and creative writing group

Malyn

Thomas

Ramsey-Wade

2020

Couns and Psychother Res

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This study provides a qualitative exploration of the therapeutic mechanisms occurring within three community-based reading and writing for well-being groups, primarily attended by older adults, located in a large city in England. It is increasingly accepted that community-based participatory arts programmes can contribute to health and well-being (Clift, 2012). However, research in this area has tended to focus on the visual and performing arts, with less attention given to literary interventions. Additionally, whilst the concept of bibliotherapy stretches back centuries, writings on this topic have been predominantly anecdotal and the research literature is thin (Detrixhe, 2010). This study aims to develop a deeper understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms occurring within these groups which facilitate well-being, with the objectives of: 1) enhancing practitioners' ability to effectively implement such interventions, and 2) contributing to the development of a strong theoretical base from which such interventions can be meaningfully evaluated. Twelve individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted for this study and analysed using thematic analysis, following the guidelines of Braun & Clarke (2006). Four overarching themes were developed through the analysis, which are expressed through a relational framework. These include: 'Relationship to self', 'Relationship with others', 'Relationship to facilitator' and 'An intermediary object'. It is concluded that, whilst some of the therapeutic processes are similar to those occurring in other community-based participatory arts programmes, additional key processes are related to unique features of the literary arts, as well as the facilitator's group design, training, and way of relating.

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“The more I write, the better I write, and the better I feel about myself”: Mood Variability and Mood Regulation in Student Journalists and Creative Writers

Cited by 7 publications

References 77 publications

Choir singing and creative writing enhance emotion regulation in adults with chronic mental health conditions

Choir singing and creative writing enhance emotion regulation in adults with chronic mental health conditions

Identification with arts‐based groups improves mental wellbeing in adults with chronic mental health conditions

Reading and writing for well‐being: A qualitative exploration of the therapeutic experience of older adult participants in a bibliotherapy and creative writing group

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