Using expressive writing to help reduce depression and anxiety in sexual minority veterans
Expressive Writing to Reduce Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Veterans
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 ID | NIH-10975916 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are sexual minority veterans experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as sexual minorities or who are not veterans may not receive benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Boston, United States
- VA Boston Health Care System — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harper, Kelly — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Harper, Kelly
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 below.