title: Effects of expressive writing on sexual dysfunction, depression, and PTSD in women with a history of childhood sexual abuse: results from a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) have high rates of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and sexual problems in adulthood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We tested an expressive writing-based intervention for its effects on psychopathology, sexual function, satisfaction, and distress in women who have a history of CSA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy women with CSA histories completed five 30-minute sessions of expressive writing, either with a trauma focus or a sexual schema focus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Validated self-report measures of psychopathology and sexual function were conducted at posttreatment: 2 weeks, 1 month, and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women in both writing interventions exhibited improved symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women who were instructed to write about the impact of the abuse on their sexual schema were significantly more likely to recover from sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expressive writing may improve depressive and PTSD symptoms in women with CSA histories. Sexual schema-focused expressive writing in particular appears to improve sexual problems, especially for depressed women with CSA histories. Both treatments are accessible, cost-effective, and acceptable to patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Meston
authors.forename: Tierney A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Kyle R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Stephenson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013781:Texas; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Childhood Sexual Abuse; Depression; Expressive Writing; Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual Function; Sexual Satisfaction