Writing study found changes in heart rate and an emotional measure
A randomized study compared reappraisal and self-compassion writing in college students. Shared changes after writing do not establish an advantage over no writing.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Both writing groups showed decreases in heart rate and alexithymia, an emotional measure. Because the trial compared writing instructions, these changes do not show whether writing outperformed no writing. A difference in a measure derived from heart recordings also does not establish that either approach produced better emotional health.
This abstract-based summary gives no session length or longer follow-up and omits results for some measured outcomes. The reported comparison cannot isolate writing's effects from changes that might also occur without writing.
What researchers found
Alexithymia, an emotional measure
Before-to-after change in both writing groups, not a difference between instructions. Session duration was not reported in the abstract.
What was compared
Students were assigned to writing guided by reappraisal or self-compassion. Emotional measures were assessed before and after writing, while electrical heart activity was recorded during the experiment to examine physiological responses.
What remains unclear
The reappraisal group had a higher LF/HF ratio, a measure derived from heart recordings. The abstract does not establish whether that difference reflected better emotional regulation, and it does not give results for every emotional outcome measured.
The original publication
Effects of Reappraisal and Self-Compassion Expressive Writing on Emotion Regulation.
Jacques T, Alves RA
Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41108149
- Record checked
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