Written Emotional Disclosure: Testing Whether Social Disclosure Matters

Abstract

Studies suggest that written emotional disclosure can improve health. Unknown, however, is whether the presence or absence of an audience for one's disclosure matters, and whether time management control writing has any effects. Undergraduates (N = 165) with unresolved stress were randomized to 1 of 3 groups that wrote for 4 sessions: shared written disclosure (submitted to researchers), private written disclosure (not submitted), or time management control writing; or to a fourth group (no-writing control). At 3-month follow-up, the two control groups were equivalent on outcomes. Both shared and private disclosure resulted in less cognitive intrusion and avoidance than the combined control groups. Yet, shared disclosure reduced depression and interpersonal sensitivity more than either private disclosure or the control groups, and only shared disclosure reduced physical symptoms. Although truly private writing improves cognitive stress effects, shared writing has broader benefits, suggesting that social disclosure for one's writing matters.

The durability of beneficial health effects associated with expressive writing

“…Our null findings for self-reported physical health were somewhat surprising given that numerous studies have reported self-reported physical health benefits associated with expressive writing (e.g., Greenberg et al, 1996; Norman, Lumley, Dooley, & Diamond, 2004; Pennebaker, Colder, & Sharp, 1990; Pennebaker & Francis, 1996; Radcliffe, Lumley, Kendall, Stevenson, & Beltran, 2007; Sheese et al, 2004), and Frattaroli's (2006) meta-analysis indicated a significant effect size for self-reported physical health ( r = .056). Several possible factors might account for the null findings observed for physical health.…”

Emotional disclosure on social networking sites: The role of network structure and psychological needs

“…Negative emotional sharing may reduce the intensity of fear (Langens, 2005), traumatic stress (Greenberg & Stone, 1992), and depression (Radcliffe, Lumley, Kendall, Stevenson, & Beltran, 2010). It can also relieve the stress of suppressing negative feelings and allow reappraisal of the negative experience (Pennebaker, 1997;Pennebaker & Beall, 1986;Rimé, 2009).…”

Relational treatment strategies increase social approach behaviors in patients with Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder

“…Reis and Shaver (1988), in their interpersonal process model, proposed that reciprocal selfdisclosure in the early stages of relationships is critical to establishing the mutual trustworthiness necessary to progress to greater intimacy. Mutual self-disclosure leads to perceived similarity and liking, which in turn facilitate relationship formation and satisfaction (e.g., Collins & Miller, 1994;Laurenceau, Barrett, Feldman, & Pietromonaco, 1998;Radcliff, Lumley, Kendall, Stevenson, & Beltran, 2007;Reis, Sheldon, Gable, Roscoe, & Ryan, 2000;Vittengl & Holt, 2000).…”