Effects of self-expressive writing as a therapeutic method to relieve stress among university students

Expressive writing is a therapeutic intervention which requires people to write about stressful life events and their emotional responses to those experiences. This study examined the effects of self-expressive writing in assuaging stress among university students. 166 university students first completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Participants were then assigned expressive written tasks whereby they spent 10-15 min daily for seven days evaluating aspects of their daily stress, stress related emotions, and possible ways to cope. The questionnaires were then re-administered. The before and after scores were compared. The results revealed that participants showed significantly decreased stress from pre- to post-intervention. Furthermore, the findings indicated that participants reported significant therapeutic relief and improved well-being. Expressive writing may be a promising therapeutic option to reduce stress and improve well-being among moderately stressed university students. Furthermore, it seems to have potential implications for therapeutic treatment methods.