Therapeutic writing as an intervention for symptoms of bulimia nervosa: Effects and mechanism of change.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Therapeutic writing as an intervention for symptoms of bulimia nervosa: Effects and mechanism of change.
Authors:	Johnston, Olwyn, Startup, Helen, Lavender, Anna, Godfrey, Emma, Schmidt, Ulrike
Source:	International Journal of Eating Disorders. Jul2010, Vol. 43 Issue 5, p405-419. 15p. 1 Diagram, 6 Charts, 2 Graphs.
Subjects:	Bulimia, Graphotherapy, Word frequency, Avoidance (Psychology), Qualitative research, Symptoms, Psychiatric research
Abstract:	Objective: This study explored the effects on bulimic symptomatology of a writing task intended to reduce emotional avoidance. Method: Eighty individuals reporting symptoms of bulimia completed, by e-mail, a therapeutic or control writing task. Participants completed questionnaires on bulimic symptoms, mood, and potential moderating and mediating factors, and were followed up after 4 and 8 weeks. Writing content was explored using a word count package and qualitative framework analysis. Results: Bulimic symptoms decreased in both groups, although in both groups the number of participants who improved was approximately equal to the number who did not improve. Symptom decreases were associated with increases in perceived mood regulation abilities, and decreases in negative beliefs about emotions. Participants preferred internet delivery to face to face discussion. Discussion: For individuals experiencing symptoms of bulimia, the effects of therapeutic writing did not differ significantly from effects of a control writing task. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Objective: This study explored the effects on bulimic symptomatology of a writing task intended to reduce emotional avoidance. Method: Eighty individuals reporting symptoms of bulimia completed, by e-mail, a therapeutic or control writing task. Participants completed questionnaires on bulimic symptoms, mood, and potential moderating and mediating factors, and were followed up after 4 and 8 weeks. Writing content was explored using a word count package and qualitative framework analysis. Results: Bulimic symptoms decreased in both groups, although in both groups the number of participants who improved was approximately equal to the number who did not improve. Symptom decreases were associated with increases in perceived mood regulation abilities, and decreases in negative beliefs about emotions. Participants preferred internet delivery to face to face discussion. Discussion: For individuals experiencing symptoms of bulimia, the effects of therapeutic writing did not differ significantly from effects of a control writing task. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	02763478
DOI:	10.1002/eat.20714