Emotional processing writing and physiological stress responses: understanding constructive and unconstructive processes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Writing about emotions related to a life stressor is thought to promote coping via emotional processing. However, all styles of emotional processing may not be beneficial to managing stress. Such styles can include constructive (planning/problem-solving, meaning-making) and unconstructive (rumination, worry) forms. This study utilised a randomised experimental design to examine the physiological impact (as indexed by heart rate variability, salivary cortisol reactivity and recovery) of expressive writing with guidance to promote constructive and discourage unconstructive styles (EP+) versus expressive writing with no guidance (EP). Participants (N = 151) engaged in three sessions of expressive writing anchored to a self-nominated stressor over three days. Stress reactivity was measured two weeks later in response to a stress recall task. There was no effect of group on cortisol reactivity, cortisol recovery, or HRV reactivity. However, there was a significant interaction of group and subjective stressfulness of the nominated stressor was observed, such that EP+ was associated with greater cortisol recovery. Those with more taxing stressors may be better equipped to process emotions with guidance on emotional processing styles.