Using expressive writing to help reduce depression and anxiety in sexual minority veterans
Official title: Expressive Writing to Reduce Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Veterans
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-10975916 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how writing about your feelings can help LGBTQ+ veterans deal with depression and anxiety caused by discrimination, and it's designed for veterans who want to find a supportive way to cope with their experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002629-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975916 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are sexual minority veterans experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as sexual minorities or who are not veterans may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how expressive writing can help sexual minority veterans cope with depression and anxiety stemming from discrimination and stigma. Participants will engage in structured writing exercises where they express their thoughts and feelings about stressful experiences related to their sexual identity. The study aims to assess how acceptable and feasible this intervention is for veterans, as well as its potential effectiveness in alleviating their mental health symptoms. By focusing on a brief and easily implementable approach, the research seeks to provide a valuable tool for addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide sexual minority veterans with an effective and accessible method to reduce their depressive and anxiety symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that expressive writing can effectively reduce depression and anxiety in sexual minority non-veterans, suggesting potential for success in this population as well.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harper, Kelly — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Harper, Kelly
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Expressive Writing to Help Sexual Minority Veterans with Depression and Anxiety
A brief writing program to help sexual minority veterans feel less depression and anxiety.
-
Understanding anxiety in kids with reading difficulties
This project follows children with reading difficulties to understand how anxiety appears and changes as they grow, with the goal of guiding better help.
-
Virtual AI-Assisted Music Therapy for Anxiety in Advanced Cancer
A new AI-enabled music therapy program for people with advanced cancer aims to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
-
Understanding how air pollution before birth might lead to childhood social anxiety
This project explores how exposure to air pollution during pregnancy might contribute to social anxiety in children, especially those facing economic challenges.
-
Anxiety in children with reading disabilities
This project looks at how anxiety develops and connects to reading and school skills in children with reading disabilities.
-
Promoting mental health care for older adults with depression and anxiety.
This study is all about finding better ways to help older adults who are feeling depressed or anxious by using community support and expert guidance, so they can get the mental health care they need in a way that really works for them.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.