Effects of Reappraisal and Self-Compassion Expressive Writing on Emotion Regulation.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized trial
PubMed 41108149 · doi:10.1177/17470218251392569
What was done
Sixty-six university students were randomly assigned to one of two expressive writing conditions: reappraisal instructions or self-compassion instructions. Participants completed assessments of positive and negative affect, emotion regulation, anxiety, and alexithymia before and after the writing session. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded during the experiment to assess autonomic nervous system effects.
What was found
Expressive writing decreased heart rate (d = 0.63) and alexithymia (d = 0.55) across both groups. The LF/HF ratio was higher in the reappraisal group compared to the self-compassion group (d = 0.70). Numerical data for affect, anxiety, and general emotion regulation measures were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study shows that framing expressive writing with reappraisal or self-compassion prompts differentially modulates acute autonomic nervous system responses while acutely lowering heart rate and alexithymia.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 66) and limited to college students. There was no non-writing or neutral writing control group to separate intervention effects from simple rest or passage of time, and long-term outcomes were not measured.
Cited by
- supports Writing down thoughts aids emotion regulation and motivation.