Expressive Writing and Well-Being in Chinese Emerging Adults: Is Emotion Regulation an Underlying Mechanism?

Abstract

The present research examined the effects of expressive writing on emotion regulation and well-being outcomes among Hong Kong Chinese emerging adults between 18 and 25 years of age. A total of 126 Chinese emerging adults were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the following three conditions including expressive writing, regular writing, and nil writing for 3 consecutive days. Follow-up sessions were conducted 1 day and 1 month after the completion of all writing sessions. Mixed measures analysis of variance indicated group differences in cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, life satisfaction, and general health over time. Participants from the expressive writing group reported greater improvements in these measures at the 1-month follow-up than did their regular and nil writing counterparts. Follow-up mediation analysis suggested that cognitive reappraisal mediated between expressive writing and outcomes including life satisfaction and general health. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.