Health Benefits of Expressive Writing: Study One

Expressive Writing Among Chinese Breast Cancer Survivors: Study One

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the aim of determining the cultural sensitivity, feasibility, and effectiveness of an expressive writing intervention for Chinese breast cancer survivors.

The study examines the potential health benefits (i.e., physical health, psychological health, and quality of life) of this expressive writing intervention for Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors. The study also explores the mechanism through which expressive writing confers health benefits and investigates who will benefit most from the expressive writing intervention. Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment will be randomly assigned to a control writing condition, a self-regulation condition, or an emotional disclosure writing condition. Health outcomes are assessed at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months follow-ups. Mixed qualitative-quantitative mixed methods are used to explore the effect of the intervention on health outcomes and explore the mechanisms that explain the benefits of this intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) having a breast cancer diagnosis
• 2) completing primary medical treatment within four years
• 3) being comfortable writing and speaking Chinese (i.e. Mandarin or Cantonese)