A pilot study of a narrative competence group to enhance coping and quality of life in patients with HIV

Abstract

Background: Writing about traumatic or emotional events can result in improvements in physical and psychological health. The objective of the current pilot study is to evaluate the impact of an expressive writing group on the psychological functioning of individuals living with HIV. Methods: Thirty-one participants with HIV completed measures of psychological distress prior to and following the Narrative Competence Psychotherapy (NCP) intervention. Open-ended questions designed to assess participants' perceptions of the NCP group were completed after the intervention. Results: Significant improvements in some of the measures from pre- to post-intervention (e.g. self-esteem) were found through paired t-tests. Thematic analysis of the post-group questionnaires revealed a positive view of the NCP experience. Conclusion: The results are consistent with those of previous studies using expressive writing in other patient populations. The results suggest that this type of intervention may provide benefit for patients dealing with the psychological impact of chronic illness.

Keywords:

• HIV infection
• narrative competence
• therapeutic writing
• group psychotherapy

Acknowledgements

With thanks to the group participants who agreed to be a part of this research, to Adrienne Prettyman for assistance in preparing the literature search and to Rex Kay and Guy Allen for their contributions to the NCP model. We would also like to thank all of the administrative and research staff who kindly gave of their time to help with the gathering and analyzing of the study data over the years. In particular we would like to thank Lynn Kavanagh, Maedean Brown, Will Smid, Christine Kwon and Bill Lancee.