Writing to Heal
Exploring Links Between Writing and Mental Health
Abstract
Expressive writing, or writing to heal, has re-emerged in recent decades as a therapeutic tool due to its association with mental and physical health benefits. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on its effects on psychological indicators. The literature search identified 50 quantitative and qualitative studies in Spanish published over the past 10 years on expressive writing and variables such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and well-being. Experimental studies suggest that writing about traumatic or stressful experiences, compared to neutral topics, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression with a small to moderate effect. It also decreases symptoms of post traumatic stress and improves positive variables such as well-being and self-efficacy. Some studies also report physical effects, such as fewer medical visits and better immune function. Qualitative studies indicate that writing facilitates emotional expression, promotes the redefinition of difficult experiences, and helps gain clarity and perspective. The review concludes that expressive writing has positive impacts on mental health and can be implemented in both clinical and educational settings. Further studies in Spanish are needed to explore its applications and subjective processes across different populations.
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