Written Emotional Expression as a Coping Method in Child Protective Service Officers

Abstract

This study evaluated a writing intervention (journaling) to reduce stress reactions in child protective services workers. The intervention group participants were asked to write about their stress reactions or emotions in a private journal for 15-20 min each day for 3 consecutive days. The control group members were not asked to carry out any intervention activities. Participants in the intervention group completed a distress measure before and after the period of journaling. For the intervention group, distress levels significantly decreased and job satisfaction significantly increased after the intervention compared with the control group. The findings suggest that providing employees with opportunities to express their emotions in writing may be helpful in reducing distress and increasing job satisfaction.