KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling (JARAC) 6 Serial Number 22 2024 07 01 The Role of Expressive Writing Interventions in Decreasing Trauma Symptoms and Increasing Meaning The Role of Expressive Writing Interventions in Decreasing Trauma Symptoms and Increasing Meaning 246 255 10.61838/kman.jarac.6.3.27 EN Journal Article 2024 04 01 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an expressive writing intervention in decreasing trauma symptoms and increasing perceived meaning among individuals who have experienced traumatic events.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 participants from South Africa, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group participated in eight structured 75-minute expressive writing sessions over a four-week period, while the control group received no psychological treatment. Standardized measures were used to assess trauma symptoms (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) and perceived meaning (Meaning in Life Questionnaire) at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with Bonferroni post-hoc tests for pairwise comparisons. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>Results indicated a significant interaction effect between time and group for both trauma symptoms (F(2,56) = 27.08, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .488) and meaning (F(2,56) = 31.34, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .528). The intervention group demonstrated a substantial reduction in trauma symptoms from pre-test (M = 61.47, SD = 5.83) to post-test (M = 45.80, SD = 6.11), with further improvement at follow-up (M = 42.93, SD = 5.62). Perceived meaning significantly increased from pre-test (M = 18.40, SD = 3.55) to post-test (M = 25.87, SD = 3.66) and follow-up (M = 28.60, SD = 3.20). No significant changes were observed in the control group for either variable.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Expressive writing significantly reduces trauma symptoms and enhances meaning-making in individuals exposed to trauma, with effects sustained over a five-month period, suggesting its potential as a cost-effective intervention for trauma recovery.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jarac/article/download/3910/6682