Abstract

This study explored the effects of expressive writing on psychological well-being, health status, and adherence among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It further explored the moderating effects of cognitive adaptability on these outcomes. Thirty-seven participants were randomized to write weekly for 20 minutes on each of four days, either about stressful/traumatic life experiences (experimental) or trivial, non-emotional topics (control). Dependent measures obtained at baseline were repeated one month after writing. Higher cognitive adaptability (dispositional optimism coupled with perceived competence) was associated with improvements in positive affect, global sense of meaning, HIV-cognitive adaptability, HIV-quality of life, and HIV physical functioning among expressive writers. In contrast, trivial writers remained either unchanged or declined on these outcomes. No effects were found for changes in negative affect, perceived stress, HIV-specific meaning, HIV symptom reports, illness visits, or medication and appointment adherence. Expressive writing was well tolerated among persons with HIV infection. Additional studies are warranted.

Description

This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 3127285; ProQuest document ID: 305104996. The author still retains copyright.

Lois J. Wagner

Author Details

Lois J. Wagner, PhD, RN

Sigma Membership

Iota at-Large

Type

Dissertation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Randomized Controlled Trial

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

Journalling, Psychological Effects, Patient Functioning

Advisor

Kenneth A. Wallston

Degree

PhD

Degree Grantor

Vanderbilt University

Degree Year

2004

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2020-06-19

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