Healing Through Writing: Insights from Research

Abstract

Over the past two decades, a growing body of research has demonstrated that writing about traumatic or stressful events or experiences has a positive impact on physical and psychological health. This paper reviews the research findings related to expressive writing and health, in clinical as well as non-clinical populations. Research findings comparing the health benefits of vocal and written disclosure of traumatic experiences are addressed. Possible pathways or mechanisms through which expressive writing affects health are discussed. Finally, major issues that need serious attention from researchers in this area for future research are suggested.

Keywords:

• expressive writing
• health
• exposure therapy
• traumatic experiences