Expressive writing intervention among newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients: Effectiveness on distress and intrusive thoughts and social constraints as a moderator

Prostate cancer (PCA) diagnosis can be a stressful experience that increases general distress (e.g., depression and anxiety) and intrusive thoughts, although distress varies between individuals. The aim of this randomized control study was to determine whether expressive writing intervention (EWI) would decrease general distress and intrusive thoughts about cancer. In addition, it was tested whether patients that felt social constraints in expressing their emotions about their cancer benefitted more from the EWI than those that did not experience such constraints. A sample of 73 newly diagnosed PCA patients were randomly assigned to write for 20 minutes on 3 writing days, either about their emotions regarding the cancer (EWI group) or a neutral topic (control group). General distress, intrusive thoughts and social constraint were assessed at baseline and general distress and intrusive thoughts were assessed again three and six months following the EWI. Results from repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that the EWI did not decrease depression, anxiety or intrusive thoughts. EWI was beneficial for those high on social constrain in reducing intrusive thoughts regarding the cancer. The results indicate that those who perceive their social environment to be constraint could benefit from the EWI in reducing intrusive thoughts and therefore gain a better psychological adjustment to the cancer diagnoses. Keywords: Prostate cancer, expressive writing, depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, social constrain

Author dc:creator

• Anna Sigríður Siemsen 1989-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Blöðruhálskirtilskrabbamein
• Þunglyndi
• Psychology
• Prostate cancer
• Depression

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/31669

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/31669