Health Effects of Written Emotional Disclosure in Adolescents with Asthma: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objective To test the effects of written emotional disclosure on the health of adolescents with asthma and to examine how language in disclosures predicts outcomes. Methods We randomized 50 adolescents with asthma to write for 3 days at home about stressful events (disclosure) or control topics. At...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pediatric psychology 2006-07, Vol.31 (6), p.557-568
Main Authors: Warner, Lori J., Lumley, Mark A., Casey, Rita J., Pierantoni, Wayne, Salazar, Reina, Zoratti, Edward M., Enberg, Robert, Simon, Michael R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
adolescents
Affect
asthma
Asthma - drug therapy
Asthma - physiopathology
Asthma - psychology
Bronchodilator Agents - therapeutic use
Child
emotional disclosure
expressive writing
Female
Health Status
Humans
Language
Male
Severity of Illness Index
stress management
Truth Disclosure
Writing
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Summary:Objective To test the effects of written emotional disclosure on the health of adolescents with asthma and to examine how language in disclosures predicts outcomes. Methods We randomized 50 adolescents with asthma to write for 3 days at home about stressful events (disclosure) or control topics. At baseline and 2 months after writing, we assessed symptoms, affect, disability, internalizing behavior problems, and lung function; parents independently rated internalizing behavior and disability. Results Compared with control writing, disclosure writing led to improved positive affect and internalizing problems. Disclosure also decreased asthma symptoms and functional disability among adolescents with baseline elevations of these difficulties. Lung function was not changed. Disclosures with more negative emotion, insight, and causal words—and increased causal or insight words over days—predicted improved health. Conclusions Written emotional disclosure improves emotional and behavioral functioning among adolescents with asthma, particularly those whose writings suggest emotional processing and cognitive restructuring.
ISSN:0146-8693
1465-735X
DOI:10.1093/jpepsy/jsj048