Expressive Writing for Caregivers of Persons With Cancer

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effects of an expressive writing intervention for caregivers of persons with cancer. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1. Does participation in a group-based, videoconference-delivered expressive writing intervention improve mood and quality of life for caregivers of persons with cancer? 2. Is greater improvement associated with writing that is more emotionally expressive or personally revealing, or with group-based sessions characterized by certain linguistic features such as greater emotionality? 3. Is benefit greater for certain subgroups of caregivers, such as those who are younger or who identify as female in gender? Participants will be asked to join four videoconference-delivered, group-based expressive writing sessions. This will be done in groups of 4-8 caregivers and led by a trained facilitator. During each session, participants will write about their deepest thoughts and feelings about their loved one's cancer and their experiences as a caregiver. They will then discuss as a group any reactions to the writing process. Participants will be randomly assigned to either active intervention (receiving the intervention as soon as a group is formed) or waitlist control. Researchers will compare active and waitlist control participants on to pre- to post-intervention changes in mood and quality of life.

Conditions

Quality of Life, Distress, Emotional

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effects of an expressive writing intervention for caregivers of persons with cancer. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1. Does participation in a group-based, videoconference-delivered expressive writing intervention improve mood and quality of life for caregivers of persons with cancer? 2. Is greater improvement associated with writing that is more emotionally expressive or personally revealing, or with group-based sessions characterized by certain linguistic features such as greater emotionality? 3. Is benefit greater for certain subgroups of caregivers, such as those who are younger or who identify as female in gender? Participants will be asked to join four videoconference-delivered, group-based expressive writing sessions. This will be done in groups of 4-8 caregivers and led by a trained facilitator. During each session, participants will write about their deepest thoughts and feelings about their loved one's cancer and their experiences as a caregiver. They will then discuss as a group any reactions to the writing process. Participants will be randomly assigned to either active intervention (receiving the intervention as soon as a group is formed) or waitlist control. Researchers will compare active and waitlist control participants on to pre- to post-intervention changes in mood and quality of life.

A Community-based Video-conference-delivered Expressive Writing Intervention for Caregivers of Persons With Cancer

Expressive Writing for Caregivers of Persons With Cancer

Condition
Quality of Life
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Phoenix

Cancer Support Community Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85004

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Age 18 years or older
  • * Self-identify as informal caregiver for an adult (age 18+) diagnosed with stage II-IV breast, ovarian, prostate, colon, rectal, or lung cancer within the past 2 years
  • * English speaking and comprehending
  • * Access to a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone and Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) to complete surveys and participate in videoconference-based expressive writing sessions

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Arizona State University,

Study Record Dates

2025-09-30