Daily stress in adults with mild/moderate depressive symptoms and/or anxiety symptoms Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
There are four writing interventions: expressive writing, guided narrative writing, self-compassionate writing and lifestyle writing (active control group). The writing intervention includes three wri
Sponsors
University of Exeter
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Native English speakers 2. Aged 18 years and above 3. Currently living in the UK 4. They are currently experiencing mild/moderate levels of distress (HADS score between 8-14) 5. Can read and write using a computer or laptop
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Currently experience high levels of distress or low mood (HADS score above 14) or no symptoms (HADS score below 8) 2. Not be involved in any forms of psychological therapies (e.g., talking therapy, group intervention, support group, meditation exercises) during the study (i.e., 3 months) 3. On any form of anti-psychotic
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms measured using the hospital anxiety and depression scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 2. Stress measured using the perceived stress scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 3. PTSD symptoms measured using the PDS-5 trauma test, peri-traumatic emotions questionnaire, and post-trauma growth at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 4. Self-compassion measured using the self-compassion scale (short form) at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 5. Mood measured using three basic dimensions of mood at each pre-/post- writing session 6. Self-compassion and state of connectedness with others measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) at each pre-/post- writing session 7. Distress measured using subject units of distress scale at each pre-/post- writing session 8. Psychological processes in the writing (cognitive processes, positive emotion, negative emotion, and social processes) measured using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) during writing sessions 9. Emotion regulation measured using the rumination reflection scale, short-form cognitive emotion regulation scale and difficulties in emotion regulation scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Adverse childhood experiences measured using adverse childhood experience questionnaires at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 2. Sleeping problems measured using the insomnia severity index at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 3. Psychological wellbeing measured using the satisfaction with life scale and subjective happiness scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 4. Loneliness is measured using the UCLA loneliness scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 5. The impact of mental health problems measured using the work and social adjustment scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 6. Social support measured using the multidimensional scale of perceived social support scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 7. Gratitude measured using the gratitude questionnaire at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 8. Self-efficacy is measured using the general self-efficacy scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 9. Meaning of life is measured using the meaning in life questionnaire at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up 10. Resilience is measured using the brief resilience scale at pre-assessment, post-assessment, 1-month follow-up and 3-month follow-up | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed