The Effects of Expressive Writing and Compassionate Letter Writing on Emotional Distress Intolerance
- Conditions
- Distress Intolerance
- Registration Number
- NCT05284578
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Waterloo
- Brief Summary
Perceived emotional distress intolerance is a transdiagnostic marker of psychopathology associated with psychological and interpersonal dysfunction, and the development of interventions for perceived emotional distress intolerance is of prime importance. One potential intervention is a behavioural experiment, i.e. a cognitive behaviour therapy technique where clients undergo an exercise designed to test a maladaptive belief, e.g., that negative emotions are unbearable, and adjust their belief to accommodate any disconfirmatory information that arises through the exercise. This study examines the effects of a one-session self-compassion writing behavioural experiment compared to a one-session expressive writing behavioural experiment on low perceived distress tolerance. Participants were recruited from the University of Waterloo and Prolific, and were randomly assigned to the self-compassion condition, expressive writing condition, or a control condition.
- Detailed Description
The study consisted of two online surveys. During the first survey, participants answered a set of questionnaires. Then, they were prompted to think of an upsetting situation and the associated unpleasant emotions, and they were then randomly assigned to a brief self-compassionate writing, expressive writing, or neutral writing task. They then answered a series of questionnaires immediately after completing the writing task. During the second survey, one week later, participants answered a brief set of questionnaires.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 424
Not provided
- None
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Distress Tolerance Scale (short form) Immediately post-intervention Self-report questionnaire with 4 questions on a 5-point Likert scale (scored 1-5). Mean scores range from 1-5, with higher score indicative of greater perceived distress tolerance.
Compassionate Engagement and Action Scale Change from baseline to one week post-intervention Self-report questionnaire with 13 questions on a 10-point Likert scale (scored 1-10). Three questions are reverse-scored and not included in scoring. Total scores range from 10-100, with higher increase in score indicative of increased emotional engagement
Distress Tolerance Scale Change from baseline to one week post-intervention Self-report questionnaire with 15 questions on a 5-point Likert scale (scored 1-5, with 4 subscales). Mean scores range from 1-5, with higher increase in score indicative of increased perceived distress tolerance.
Endorsement and Discomfort Scale (adapted) One week post-intervention Self-report questionnaire with 10 questions on a 9-point Likert scale (scored 1-9). Total scores range from 10-90, with higher score indicative of greater acceptability of intervention.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Soothing affect measures (researcher-generated) - Adapted from the Serenity Subscale of the PANAS-X and the Safe/Warmth Positive Affect Subscale of the Types of Positive Affect Scale (TPAS) Immediately post-intervention (assessed as a mediator) Self-report questionnaire with 7 questions on a 5-point Likert scale (scored 1-5). Total scores range from 7-35, with higher score indicative of more soothing affect.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Waterloo
🇨🇦Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
University of Waterloo🇨🇦Waterloo, Ontario, Canada