Volume 31, Issue 2 (7-2025)
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Izanloo M, Shamsalinia A, Mohammadi S, Keyhanian S. The effect of written emotional disclosure on health behaviors and loneliness among family caregivers of cancer patients. Journal of Hayat 2025; 31 (2) :167-180
URL: http://hayat.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5563-en.html
URL: http://hayat.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5563-en.html
1- Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Ramsar School of Nursing and Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Nursing Care Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2- Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Ramsar School of Nursing and Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Nursing Care Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran ,abbasshamsalinia@yahoo.com
3- Dept. of Internal Medicine, School of Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Ramsar, Iran
2- Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Ramsar School of Nursing and Midwifery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Nursing Care Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran ,
3- Dept. of Internal Medicine, School of Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Ramsar, Iran
Abstract: (782 Views)
Background & Aim: Emotional disclosure has been associated with improvements in psychological well-being, immune function, and physical health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of written emotional disclosure on health behaviors and loneliness among family caregivers of cancer patients.
Methods & Materials: This is an experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. Seventy family caregivers of cancer patients who scored high on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) and low on the health behaviors scale for family caregivers of cancer patients were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to Intervention or Control groups. The Intervention group engaged in written emotional disclosure by documenting their deepest and most acute feelings for 15–20 minutes per session, over four consecutive days. The Control group received no intervention. Post-intervention assessments were conducted in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Comparative analyses included chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and paired t-tests.
Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups in health behaviors or their components (P>0.05). Post-intervention, the Intervention group demonstrated significantly higher health behaviors scores and component scores than the Control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean loneliness score in the Intervention group decreased significantly after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Written emotional disclosure has a positive and significant effect on loneliness and health behaviors among family caregivers of cancer patients. Given its ease of learning, potential for unsupervised practice, and minimal need for therapist involvement, this method may be a practical adjunct in caregiver support programs.
Methods & Materials: This is an experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. Seventy family caregivers of cancer patients who scored high on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) and low on the health behaviors scale for family caregivers of cancer patients were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to Intervention or Control groups. The Intervention group engaged in written emotional disclosure by documenting their deepest and most acute feelings for 15–20 minutes per session, over four consecutive days. The Control group received no intervention. Post-intervention assessments were conducted in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Comparative analyses included chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and paired t-tests.
Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups in health behaviors or their components (P>0.05). Post-intervention, the Intervention group demonstrated significantly higher health behaviors scores and component scores than the Control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean loneliness score in the Intervention group decreased significantly after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Written emotional disclosure has a positive and significant effect on loneliness and health behaviors among family caregivers of cancer patients. Given its ease of learning, potential for unsupervised practice, and minimal need for therapist involvement, this method may be a practical adjunct in caregiver support programs.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Nursing Care
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