Published Online:https://doi.org/10.5465/256708

In an experiment with 63 recently unemployed professionals, those assigned to write about the thoughts and emotions surrounding their job loss were reemployed more quickly than those who wrote about non- traumatic topics or who did not write at all. Expressive writing appeared to influence individuals' attitudes about their old jobs and about finding new employment rather than their motivation to seek employment.

References

  • Caplan, Vinokur, Price, and van Ryn 1989 Caplan R. D., Vinokur A. D., Price R. H., Van Ryn M.1989. Job seeking, reemployment, and mental health; A randomized field experiment in coping with job loss. Journal of Applied Psychology, 74: 759-769. Google Scholar
  • Cassel, 1976 Cassel J.1976. The contribution of true social environment to host resistance. American Journal of Epidemiology, 104; 107-123. Google Scholar
  • Esterling, Antoni, Kumar, & Schneiderman, 1990 Esterling B. A., Antoni M. H., Kumar M., Schneiderman N.1990. Emotional repression, stress disclosure responses, and Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen titers. Psychosomatic Medicine, 52; 397-410. Google Scholar
  • Feldman & Brett, 1983 Feldman D. C., Brett J. B.1983. Coping with new jobs; A comparative study of new hires and job changes, Academy of Management Journal, 26; 258-272.AbstractGoogle Scholar
  • Francis & Pennebaker, 1992 Francis M. E., Pennebaker J. W.1992. Putting stress into words: The impact of writing on physiological, absentee, and self-reported emotional well-being measures. American Journal of Health Promotion, 6(4): 280-287. Google Scholar
  • Greenberg & Stone, 1992a Greenberg M. A., Stone A. A.1992a. Writing about disclosed versus undisclosed traumas: Immediate and long-term effects on mood and health. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62: 75-84. Google Scholar
  • Greenberg & Stone, 1992b Greenberg M. A., Stone A. A.1992b. Disclosing emotions about traumas and health: Is disinhibition the key? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, New York. Google Scholar
  • Horowitz, 1976 Horowitz M.1976. Stress response syndromes. New York: Jacob Aronson. Google Scholar
  • Ivancevich & Matteson, 1984 Ivancevich J. M., Matteson M. T.1984. Stress and work. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker, 1982 Pennebaker J. W.1982. The psychology of physical symptoms. New York: Springer-Verlag. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker, 1989 Pennebaker J. W.1989. Confession, inhibition and disease. In Berkowitz L.(Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology, vol. 22: 211-244. New York: Academic Press. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker, 1990 Pennebaker J. W.1990. Opening up: The healing power of confiding in others. New York: Avon. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker, 1993 Pennebaker J. W.1993. Putting stress into words: Health, linguistic, and therapeutic implications. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 31: 539–548. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker & Beall, 1986 Pennebaker J. W., Beall S. K.1986. Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95: 274-281. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker, Colder, & Sharp, 1990 Pennebaker J. W., Colder M., Sharp L. K.1990. Accelerating the coping process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58: 528-537. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1988 Pennebaker J. W., Kiecolt-Glaser J., Glaser R.1988. Disclosure of traumas and immune function: Health implications for psychotherapy, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56(4): 239-245. Google Scholar
  • Pennebaker & Susman, 1988 Pennebaker J. W., Susman J. R.1988. Disclosure of traumas and psychosomatic processes. Social Science and Medicine, 26: 327-332. Google Scholar
  • Quick & Quick, 1984 Quick J. C., Quick J. D.1984. Organizational stress and preventive management. Mew York: McGraw-Hill. Google Scholar
  • Silver & Wortman, 1980 Silver R. C., Wortman C. D.1980. Coping with undesirable life events. In Garber J.Seligman M. E. P.(Eds.), Human helplessness: Theory and applications: 279-375. New York: Academic Press. Google Scholar
  • Watson & Pennebaker, 1989 Watson D., Pennebaker J. W.1989. Health complaints, stress, and distress: Exploring the central role of negative affectivity. Psychological Review, 96: 234-254. Google Scholar
Academy of Management
  Academy of Management
  100 Summit Lake Drive, Suite 110
  Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
  Phone: +1 (914) 326-1800
  Fax: +1 (914) 326-1900