Randomized, controlled trial of written emotional expression and benefit finding in breast cancer patients

Author: Stanton, A.L.; Danoff-Burg, S.; Sworowski, L.A.; Collins, C.A.; Branstetter, A.D.; Rodriguez-Hanley, A.; Kirk, S.B.; Austenfeld, J.L.

Description: PURPOSE: Expressing emotions and finding benefits regarding stressful experiences have been associated in correlational research with positive adjustment. A randomized trial was performed to compare effects of experimentally induced written emotional disclosure and benefit finding with a control condition on physical and psychological adjustment to breast cancer and to test whether outcomes varied as a function of participants’ cancer-related avoidance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Early-stage breast cancer patients completing medical treatment were assigned randomly to write over four sessions about (1) their deepest thoughts and feelings regarding breast cancer (EMO group; n = 21), (2) positive thoughts and feelings regarding their experience with breast cancer (POS group; n = 21), or (3) facts of their breast cancer experience (CTL group; n = 18). Psychological (eg, distress) and physical (perceived somatic symptoms and medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities) outcomes were assessed at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.

RESULTS: A significant condition x cancer-related avoidance interaction emerged on psychological outcomes; EMO writing was relatively effective for women low in avoidance, and induced POS writing was more useful for women high in avoidance. Significant effects of experimental condition emerged on self-reported somatic symptoms (P =.0183) and medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities (P =.0069). Compared with CTL participants at 3 months, the EMO group reported significantly decreased physical symptoms, and EMO and POS participants had significantly fewer medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities.

CONCLUSION: Experimentally induced emotional expression and benefit finding regarding early-stage breast cancer reduced medical visits for cancer-related morbidities. Effects on psychological outcomes varied as a function of cancer-related avoidance.

Subject Headings: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis/physiopathology/psychology; Emotions; Humans; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Psychometrics; Writing

Keywords: Randomized, controlled trial of written emotional expression and benefit finding in breast cancer patients

Publication year: 2002

Journal or book title: Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Volume: 20

Issue: 20

Pages: 4160-4168

Find the full text : https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2002.08.521

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Type: Journal Article

Serial number: 2509