Sharing Experiences Online: When Peer Responses Decrease the Negative Impact of Emotional Disclosure Writing
Year: 2012
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Online support group participation is beneficial for psychological and physical wellbeing, but little is known about the processes that bring about such positive changes. The present study tests the effects of two key-elements in forum use: (1) expressive writing and (2) the interactive aspect; responses from peers. Hypotheses were tested in a 2 (Writing style: cognitive reappraisal vs. emotional disclosure) x 3 (Response type: cognitive reappraisal vs. socio-affective vs. no response) factorial design among 117 participants. Results showed that receiving a cognitive reappraisal response, rather than a socio-affective response or no response, decreased negative emotions and symptom reporting in the emotional disclosure writing group and had no effects in the cognitive reappraisal writing group. Cognitive reappraisal responses in support groups may be most effective because they provide a positive way out of negative emotions.
Authors: Anika Batenburg, Enny Das
Language: English
Topic: Mental Health via Writing
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1596334196