A creative writing program to enhance self-esteem and self-efficacy in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the rationale, content, and results of a group creative writing program to increase adolescent self-esteem and self-efficacy.


METHODS
Subjects were low-income, at-risk minority youth (N = 11). Free writing in response to specific exercises, sharing their own stories in their own language, and responding to their peers were used daily for 2 weeks as part of the high school English class. The program was oriented toward health rather than problems, with the content created by the adolescents.


RESULTS
The opportunity to tell their own story, in their own language in a safe, structured setting with positive feedback led to higher self-efficacy and self-esteem.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a writing intervention focused on building self-in-relation self-esteem and the four aspects of self-efficacy resulted in increased sense of well-being.
Chandler
G E
GE
Center for Nursing Advancement, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. gec@nursing.mass.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry / Q000379:methods; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003405:Creativity; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D014956:Writing