A Longitudinal Examination of Online Expressive Writing Intervention Outcomes Comparing Hispanic Survivors of Childhood Trauma and Adult Trauma

Abstract

Childhood traumas such as childhood abuse and neglect are prevalent in Hispanic populations. They have long-term consequences including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in adulthood. Treatment options suitable for Hispanic survivors of childhood traumas and neglect are needed. Expressive writing (EW) can be a short, self-administered intervention and may address instrumental barriers (e.g. time, transportation) and stigma toward psychological disorders and interventions Hispanic trauma survivors may experience. Online EW has successfully reduced PTSS when targeting mixed traumas but has not been tested for PTSS from childhood traumas. The current study administered an online EW protocol to symptomatic Hispanic young adults with either childhood trauma or adult trauma. A longitudinal multilevel modeling approach was used to examine the effects of online EW on PTSS at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-ups. EW reduced PTSS in both groups at 1-week follow-up and therapeutic gains were maintained up to the 3-month follow-up. The current study provides evidence supporting EW as a short-term, self-administered intervention strategy suitable for Hispanic individuals with PTSS due to childhood trauma or adult trauma.