Effects of expressive writing on repetitive negative thinking as well as anxiety and depression in new recruits

To explore the effects of expressive writing on repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and anxiety and depression in new recruits, and to compare the effectiveness of different writing intervals on the training effects.

A total of 262 new recruits of a troop were sampled using cluster sampling and then divided into 3 groups based on their own organizational company. There were 2 groups receiving RNT-focused expressive writing, including 6-week group (n=90), once a week for 6 consecutive weeks, and 6-day group (n=83) once a day for 6 consecutive days, as well as a control group without any intervention (control group, n=89). Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used to survey all participants at following 3 time points: before intervention (T0), at the end of intervention (T1) and 1 month after intervention (T2).

There were no significant differences in demographic information and psychological indicators among the 3 groups before the intervention. After intervention, the scores of RNT, depression, and anxiety were significantly lower in the 6-week group at T1 and T2 than the baseline levels (T0) (P<0.01). The 6-day group showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing in the 3 scores, the scores of RNT and depression were significantly higher at T1 than T0 (P<0.01), then all 3 scores fell back at T2, and the scores of depression and anxiety at T2 were significantly lower than at T0 (P<0.01). No significant changes were observed in these psychological indicators in the control group before and after training.

RNT-focused expressive writing for 6 weeks can reduce RNT and relieve emotions such as depression and anxiety in new recruits, but similar effects are not observed in the 6-day consecutive writing program. So, we recommend a 6-week writing intervention to promote mental health in new recruits.