Volume 9, Issue 5
University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
Published：28 May 2025
Scan QR Code
Su Yutong.A Suggestion for Incorporating Expressive Writing into Elective Courses in Chinese Universities[J].Journal of International Education and Development,2025,09(05):165-169.
Su Yutong.A Suggestion for Incorporating Expressive Writing into Elective Courses in Chinese Universities[J].Journal of International Education and Development,2025,09(05):165-169. DOI： 10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250036.20250905.
This paper discusses the potential benefits and considerations of implementing expressive writing as an elective course on the mental health of Chinese university students. This paper reviews existing research on expressive writing interventions
including their effectiveness in alleviating emotional distress and promoting subjective well-being. Moreover
the paper discusses the factors influencing the success of expressive writing
including writing style; personal factors; writing topic; length
interval and frequency of writing. Ultimately
the paper provides a potential proposal to improve college students' mental health and coping skills.
An , L. Zhao, G. ( 2022 ). High School Students' Brooding and Depression: the Mediating Role of Perceived Stress and the Moderation Role of Nonreactivity . Journal of Psychological Science , 45 ( 1 ), pp. 41 – 46 . Available at: http://www.psysci.org/EN/abstract/abstract10891.shtml http://www.psysci.org/EN/abstract/abstract10891.shtml [Accessed 20 Nov. 2023 ] .
Argudo J . ( 2021 ). Expressive Writing to Relieve Academic Stress at University Level/Escritura Expresiva Para Aliviar El Estres Academico a Nivel Universitario . Teachers' Professional Development , 23 ( 2 ), pp. 17 – 33 . doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/profile.v23n2.90448 http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/profile.v23n2.90448 .
Arnett J . J . ( 2000 ). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist , 55 ( 5 ), 469 – 480 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469 https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469
Baddeley J . L. and Pennebaker J .W. ( 2011 ). Research on Writing: Approaches in Mental Health. brill.com , Brill, pp. 85 – 92 . Available at: https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9780857249562/B9780857249562-s007.xml https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9780857249562/B9780857249562-s007.xml [Accessed 17 Apr. 2023 ] .
Baikie K . A. and Wilhelm K . ( 2018 ). Emotional and Physical Health Benefits of Expressive Writing. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment , 11 ( 5 ), pp. 338 – 346 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338 https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338 .
Brewin C . R. and Lennard H . ( 1999 ). Effects of Mode of Writing on Emotional Narratives. Journal of Traumatic Stress , 12 ( 2 ), pp. 355 – 361 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1024736828322 https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1024736828322 .
Chinese Text Project . ( 2019 ). Gaozi II . Available at : https://ctext.org/confucianism https://ctext.org/confucianism .
Eisenberg N. , Cumberland A. and Spinrad T . L . ( 1998 ). Parental Socialization of Emotion. Psychological Inquiry , 9 ( 4 ), pp. 241 – 273 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0904_1 https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0904_1 .
Fang Y. , Wang L. and Chen Z . ( 2023 ). 2022年中国大学生心理健康状况调查报告[2022 Survey Report on the Mental Health Status of Chinese College Students_Book Database] . www.pishu.com.cn, Social Science Literature Press , pp. 70 – 99 . Available at: https://www.pishu.com.cn/skwx_ps/initDatabaseDetail?contentId=14414531&siteId=14&contentType=literature https://www.pishu.com.cn/skwx_ps/initDatabaseDetail?contentId=14414531&siteId=14&contentType=literature
[Accessed 20 Nov . 2023] .
Friedman H . S. and Silver R .C. ( 2007 ). Foundations of Health Psychology. Google Books, Oxford University Press , USA , p. 269 . Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=zh-CN&lr=&id=41MSDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA263&dq=Expressive+writing https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=zh-CN&lr=&id=41MSDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA263&dq=Expressive+writing [Accessed 23 Nov. 2023] .
Guo L . ( 2022 ). The delayed, Durable Effect of Expressive Writing on depression, Anxiety and stress: a Meta‐analytic Review of Studies with Long‐term Follow‐ups . British Journal of Clinical Psychology , 62 ( 1 ), pp. 272 – 297 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12408 https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12408 .
Jiang Y. , Wang H. , Lu Z . and Wang, Y . (2022) 在线表达性写作对大学新生正性负性情绪的改善效果[The effect of online expressive writing on improving positive and negative emotions among college freshmen ] . Health Education in China ( 05 ), 423 - 426+431 . doi: 10.16168/j.cnki.issn.1002-9982.2022.05.008 http://dx.doi.org/10.16168/j.cnki.issn.1002-9982.2022.05.008 .
Juanita A . ( 2021 ). Expressive Writing to Relieve Academic Stress at University Level," 23 (Ues In Teachers' Professional Development) , pp. 17 – 33 . doi: 10.15446/profile.v23n2.90448 http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/profile.v23n2.90448 .
Kross E. , Duckworth A. , Ayduk O. , Tsukayama E. and Mischel W . ( 2011 ). APA PsycNet. psycnet.apa.org. Available at: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-13402-001 [Accessed 2 Nov. 2023 ] .
LaCaille L. , Patino-Fernandez A.M. , Monaco J. , Ding D. , Upchurch Sweeney C.R. , Butler C.D. , Soskolne C.L. , Gidron Y. , Gidron Y. , Turner J.R. , Turner J.R. , Butler J. , Burns M.N. , Mohr D.C. , Molton I. , Carroll D. , Critchley H. , Nagai Y. , Baumann L . C . and Karel , A . 2013 . Expressive Writing and Health. E ncyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine, Springer , YorkNew, NY , pp. 735 – 741 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_1225 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_1225 .
Lee S.W. , Kim I. , Yoo J. , Park S. , Jeong B . and Cha, M . ( 2016 ). Insights from an Expressive Writing Intervention on Facebook to Help Alleviate Depressive Symptoms. Computers in Human Behavior , 62 , pp. 613 – 619 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.04.034 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.04.034 .
Lumley M . A . ( 2004 ). Alexithymia, Emotional Disclosure, and Health: a Program of Research. Journal of Personality , 72 ( 6 ), pp. 1271 – 1300 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00297.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00297.x .
Mogk C. , Otte S. , Reinhold-Hurley B . and Kröner-Herwig, B . ( 2006 ). Health Effects of Expressive Writing on Stressful or Traumatic Experiences - a meta-analysis. GMS Psycho-Social Medicine , 3 . Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2736499/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2736499/ [Accessed 3 May 2021 ] .
Mohamed N.H. , Beckstein A. , Winship G. , Ashraf Khan Mou T. , Pang N . T .P. and Relojo-Howell , D . 2023 . Effects of self-expressive Writing as a Therapeutic Method to Relieve Stress among University Students. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 36 ( 3 ), pp. 1 – 13 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2023.2174678 https://doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2023.2174678 .
Myers S.J. , Davis S . D. and Chan J . C .K. ( 2021 ). Does Expressive Writing or an Instructional Intervention Reduce the Impacts of Test Anxiety in a College Classroom? Cognitive Research : Principles and Implications , 6 ( 1 ). doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-021-00309-x https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-021-00309-x .
Niles A.N. , Haltom K . E .B., Mulvenna C.M. , Lieberman M. D . and Stanton A.L. ( 2013 ). Randomized Controlled Trial of Expressive Writing for Psychological and Physical health: the Moderating Role of Emotional Expressivity. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 27 ( 1 ), pp. 1 – 17 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2013.802308 https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2013.802308 .
Nursolehah R . and Rahmiati R . ( 2022 ). Pengaruh Expressive Writing Terhadap Penurunan Stres Akademik Mahasiswa. Jurnal Basicedu , 6 ( 4 ), pp. 6703 – 6712 . doi: https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v6i4.3348 https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v6i4.3348 .
Pennebaker J . W . ( 1989 ). Confession, Inhibition, and Disease. ScienceDirect. Available at : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260108603093 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260108603093 [Accessed 24 Feb. 2023] .
Pennebaker J . W . ( 2010 ). Independent Practitioner. Available at : https://sondrabarrett.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pennebaker_IP2010.pdf https://sondrabarrett.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Pennebaker_IP2010.pdf [Accessed 12 Feb. 2023] .
Reinhold M. , Bürkner , P.-C . and Holling, H. (2018) . Effects of Expressive Writing on Depressive symptoms-A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology : Science and Practice , 25 ( 1 ), p. e12224 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12224 https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12224 .
Robertson S . M .C., ShortS.D., AsperA., VeneziaK., YetmanC., ConnellyM. and TrumbullJ. 2019 . The Effect of Expressive Writing on Symptoms of Depression in College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology , 38 ( 5 ), pp. 427 – 450 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2019.38.5.427 https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2019.38.5.427 .
Robertson S . M .C., Short S.D. , McSween D., Medlen S. and Schneider K. ( 2022 ). Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Expressive Writing in Reducing Symptoms of Anxiety: Waitlist Control Design. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 41 ( 1 ), pp. 54 – 78 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2021.40.6.54 https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2021.40.6.54 .
Savera N.D. , Purwaningrum R . and Hidayat, R.R. (2022) . A Literature review: Does Expressive Writing Effective to Reduce stress? ProGCouns : Journal of Professionals in Guidance and Counseling , 3 ( 2 ), pp. 87 – 99 . doi: https://doi.org/10.21831/progcouns.v3i2.52047 https://doi.org/10.21831/progcouns.v3i2.52047 .
Shen L. , Yang L. , Zhang J. and Zhang M . ( 2018 ). Benefits of expressive writing in reducing test anxiety: A randomized controlled trial in Chinese samples . PLoS ONE , 13 ( 2 ). doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191779 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191779 .
Sloan D. M. , & Marx B . P . ( 2004 ). Taking Pen to Hand: Evaluating Theories Underlying the Written Disclosure Paradigm . Clinical Psychology : Science and Practice , 11 ( 2 ), 121 – 137 . https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph062 https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph062
Tarragona M. ( 2019 ). Personal narratives, expressive writing and well-being . In C. R. Snyder, S. J. Lopez, L. M. Edwards, & S. C. Marques (Eds), The Oxford handbook of positive psychology (3rd Ed., pp.892-907) . New York, NY : Oxford University Press . https://doi.org/10.1093/ oxfordhb/9780199396511.013.52 https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199396511.013.52
Travagin G. , Margola D. and Revenson T . A . ( 2015 ). How Effective Are Expressive Writing Interventions for adolescents? a meta-analytic Review. Clinical Psychology Review , 36 , pp. 42 – 55 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.01.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.01.003 .
Wong C . C.Y. and Mak W .W.S. ( 2016 ). Writing Can heal: Effects of self-compassion Writing among Hong Kong Chinese College students. Asian American Journal of Psychology , 7 ( 1 ), pp. 74 – 82 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000041 https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000041 .
Wu D. , Yu L. , Yang T. , Cottrell R. , Peng S. , Guo W. , & Jiang S . ( 2020 ). The impacts of uncertainty stress on mental disorders of Chinese college students: Evidence from a nationwide study . Frontiers in psychology , 11 , 243 . doi: https://doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00243 http://dx.doi.org/https://doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00243
Yang Z. , Tang X. , Duan W. and Zhang Y . ( 2014 ). Expressive writing promotes self-reported physical, social and psychological health among chinese undergraduates . International Journal of Psychology , 50 ( 2 ), pp. 128 – 134 . doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12081 https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12081 .
Yu , Y. Zhang, X. ( 2022 ). Effects of Expressive Writing on 'Choking under Pressure' in High Test-Anxious Individuals . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 20 ( 1 ), p. 302 . doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010302 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010302 .
Related Author
Related Institution
京公网安备11010802024621