EXPLORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXPRESSIVE WRITING IN REDUCING STRESS AND ENHANCING EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AMONG HOSTELITE STUDENTS

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this research is to examine whether the expressive writing method is effective for lowering the stress level and improving the emotional wellbeing of the hostelite students of the age from 18 to 29. In its study, the researcher used the Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) methodology. Initially, 50 university students from public and private hostels were recruited from a total of 150 students, based on their high stress levels and low emotional well-being by using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the WHO 5- Well-being index scale. However, four students declined to participate in the study due to personal reasons. The remaining 46 students were subsequently divided into two groups, with 23 students in the control group and 23 in the experimental group. Data supported the first hypothesis and suggested that the experimental group had lowered stress as compared to control group due to expressive writing. The second hypothesis received partial support and small positive changes regarding the emotional well-being, support the idea that the impact of expressive writing on the emotional health is moderate and might need longer interventions. The third hypothesis was supported; there was no significant difference between male and female students, thereby suggesting the generality of the intervention. This research adds to the growing evidence supporting expressive writing as a valuable tool for improving emotional well-being and lowering the stress level among hostelite students, with implications for enhancing mental health interventions in educational settings.