J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Apr;42(2):269-279. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.2.269.

Development and Effectiveness of Expressive Writing Program for Women with Breast Cancer in Korea

• Park EY
• Yi M

• KMID: 1376068
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.2.269

Abstract

PURPOSE
To develop a expressive writing program for women with breast cancer and to identify its effects on stress physical symptom, cancer symptom, anxiety, depression, and QOL.
METHODS
A non-equivalent control pre-post design was used. Participants were recruited from self-help groups in six hospitals and were assigned to the experimental group (29) or control group (29). Data were collected before, after, and at four weeks after the intervention program. Changes in the variables were evaluated to test effects of the developed program, using chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, repeated measures ANOVA, and paired t-test.
RESULTS
The expressive writing program was developed for women with breast cancer based on Pennebaker's expressive writing. Significant differences were found between the two groups for stress related to physical symptoms (p<.00) and quality of life (p=.024). No significant differences were found in cancer symptoms, anxiety, or depression between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that the expressive writing program designed to express cancer-related deep thoughts and emotions helps in decreasing physical symptoms and improving QOL. Further studies are needed to identify the effect on emotions such as anxiety and depression for women with breast cancer with above average levels of anxiety and depression.

Keyword

Expressed emotion; Breast neoplasms; Writing; Women; Intervention studies

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Anxiety
Breast Neoplasms/pathology/*psychology
Demography
Depression
*Expressed Emotion
Female
Humans
Intervention Studies
Middle Aged
Program Development
Program Evaluation
Quality of Life
Republic of Korea
Writing

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Conceptual framework of this study.

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