Expressive Writing for Grief: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

IF 1.5 4区社会学 Q1 SOCIAL WORK

Research on Social Work Practice Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.1177/10497315251371566

Dongpeng Yao, Shuo Xu, Jiaqi Liu, Yihan Gai, Jie Li

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Abstract

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed expressive writing (EW) interventions for grief reduction in bereaved individuals, focusing on the impact of key parameters: structure, session number, duration, and therapist feedback. Method: The review adheres to the latest Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines to ensure rigor. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from their inception to July 16, 2025. 13 RCTs were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The results showed that EW had a small effect size on grief (Hedges’ g = 0.388) and depression (Hedges’ g = 0.308). Subgroup analyses revealed moderate effects for higher session numbers (Hedges’ g = 0.583) and the presence of therapist feedback (Hedges’ g = 0.679). Discussion: This meta-analysis showed writing interventions effectively reduce grief, though effect sizes were small. EW interventions containing more session numbers and with therapist feedback are especially effective.

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表达悲伤的写作：随机对照试验的元分析

目的：本系统回顾和荟萃分析评估了表达性写作（EW）干预对减少丧亲个体悲伤的影响，重点关注关键参数的影响：结构、会话次数、持续时间和治疗师反馈。方法：评价遵循最新的系统评价和元分析2020指南的首选报告项目，以确保严谨性。随机对照试验（RCTs）从开始到2025年7月16日进行检索。根据纳入和排除标准纳入13项随机对照试验。结果：结果显示，情绪干预对悲伤（Hedges ' g = 0.388）和抑郁（Hedges ' g = 0.308）的影响较小。亚组分析显示，较高的会话次数（Hedges ' g = 0.583）和治疗师反馈的存在（Hedges ' g = 0.679）具有中等效果。讨论：这项荟萃分析显示，写作干预有效地减少了悲伤，尽管效应量很小。包含更多会话次数和治疗师反馈的电子波干预特别有效。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Research on Social Work Practice SOCIAL WORK-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

11.10%

发文量

105

期刊介绍： Research on Social Work Practice, sponsored by the Society for Social Work and Research, is a disciplinary journal devoted to the publication of empirical research concerning the methods and outcomes of social work practice. Social work practice is broadly interpreted to refer to the application of intentionally designed social work intervention programs to problems of societal and/or interpersonal importance, including behavior analysis or psychotherapy involving individuals; case management; practice involving couples, families, and small groups; community practice education; and the development, implementation, and evaluation of social policies.