An Expressive Writing Program to Support Emotional Wellness Among Young Adults With Hematologic Malignancy
Summary
The goal of this study is to learn more about an expressive writing workshop among people with blood cancer. The main question it aims to answer is whether and how an expressive writing workshop can impact mental wellness. Participants will * Take part in an online expressive writing workshop for four weeks * Take three surveys at different times over 12 weeks Researchers will compare changes in mental wellness reported by the participants of the workshop to those who will wait four weeks to start the workshop. After four weeks, the participants who are waiting will start their workshop.
Detailed description
The goal of this study is to learn more about an expressive writing workshop among people with blood cancer. The main question it aims to answer is whether and how an expressive writing workshop can impact mental wellness. Participants will * Take part in an online expressive writing workshop for four weeks * Take three surveys at different times over 12 weeks Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups by chance. Group 1 will start the workshop the following week. Group 2 will wait 4 weeks before starting the workshop. The workshop is the same for both groups. Each week, participants will be given a writing prompt and asked to spend at least 15 minutes writing a response. They will be able to share their writing response in a private online community group if they would like, but sharing is not required. Researchers will then compare changes in mental wellness between group 1 and 2.
Arms & interventions
- BehavioralExpressive Writing Workshop
Group 1 will start the workshop the following week. Group 2 will wait 4 weeks before starting the workshop. There is an equal chance of being placed group 1 or group 2. You cannot choose your study group. The workshop is the same for both groups.
Outcome measures
Primary
Mental Wellbeing
Participants' mental wellbeing will be evaluated using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), specifically the original 14-item scale developed by researchers at the University of Warwick and the University of Edinburgh in 2007. This self-report questionnaire asks questions about participants' feelings and how they have been functioning over the last two weeks to capture a comprehensive view of their recent mental wellbeing. Participants will rate each question on a 5-point Likert scale, and their responses will be totaled to a mental wellbeing score ranging from 14-70; higher scores indicate greater wellbeing.
Time frame: Baseline, 4, and 8 weeks
Perceived Stress
A self-report questionnaire captures whether participants perceive different life situations as overwhelming or uncontrollable. Participants will rate each question on a 5-point Likert scale, and their responses will be totaled to a stress score ranging from 0-40, with higher score indicated more perceived stress.
Time frame: Baseline, 4, and 8 weeks
Eligibility criteria
Study locations (1)
Blood Cancer United
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20005