Introduction: There are mixed data in the literature regarding the efficacy of expressive writing (EW) interventions. The current study utilized a waitlist control design to assess whether symptom change occurred during a waitlist period and an intervention period. We also assessed the potential relationship between initial anxiety symptom severity and follow-up scores of anxiety. Methods: One hundred forty-one first-year college students were randomly assigned to either (a) initiate an EW protocol immediately or (b) initiate an EW protocol after at least four weeks had elapsed. All participants completed three consecutive days of EW and two follow-up visits. Results: Participants who started their EW protocol immediately demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety at the one-month follow-up while participants in the waitlist condition did not demonstrate a significant decrease in anxiety during the waiting period. All participants demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety between the first day of the EW intervention and the six-month follow-up visit. This effect was moderated by initial anxiety symptom level. Discussion: Completing an EW intervention, whether immediately or after a one-month waiting period, was associated with lowered anxiety scores six months post-intervention. College students’ anxiety levels did not naturally improve over the course of a one-month waiting period.

中文翻译：

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评估表达性写作在减轻焦虑症状方面的功效的随机对照试验：候补名单控制设计

简介： 文献中关于表达性写作 (EW) 干预效果的数据参差不齐。目前的研究利用候补名单控制设计来评估在候补名单期间和干预期间是否发生症状变化。我们还评估了初始焦虑症状严重程度与后续焦虑评分之间的潜在关系。方法：141 名大一新生被随机分配到 (a) 立即启动电子战协议或 (b) 在至少 4 周后启动电子战协议。所有参与者都完成了连续三天的电子战和两次随访。结果：开始他们的电子战协议的参与者在一个月的随访中立即表现出焦虑的显着降低，而等待名单条件的参与者在等待期间没有表现出焦虑的显着降低。在电子战干预的第一天和六个月的随访期间，所有参与者的焦虑都显着降低。这种影响由最初的焦虑症状水平缓和。讨论：无论是立即还是在一个月的等待期后完成电子战干预，都与干预后六个月的焦虑评分降低有关。在一个月的等待期内，大学生的焦虑水平并没有自然改善。在电子战干预的第一天和六个月的随访期间，所有参与者的焦虑都显着降低。这种影响由最初的焦虑症状水平缓和。讨论：无论是立即还是在一个月的等待期后完成电子战干预，都与干预后六个月的焦虑评分降低有关。在一个月的等待期内，大学生的焦虑水平并没有自然改善。在电子战干预的第一天和六个月的随访期间，所有参与者的焦虑都显着降低。这种影响由最初的焦虑症状水平缓和。讨论：无论是立即还是在一个月的等待期后完成电子战干预，都与干预后六个月的焦虑评分降低有关。在一个月的等待期内，大学生的焦虑水平并没有自然改善。