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Who Benefits from Pennebaker’s Expressive Writing? More Research Recommendations: A Commentary on Range and Jenkins

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Abstract

This manuscript is a commentary on Range and Jenkins’ (2010) exploration of possible gender differences in the outcomes of Pennebaker’s expressive writing paradigm. It too examines possible gender differences, but uses a different perspective and extends Range and Jenkins’ work. She focuses solely on reasons outcomes might be more beneficial for men, while this commentary looks at outcomes that may favor either gender. It employs a communication and emotion framework and explores the effects of previous trauma disclosure, women's tendency to ruminate, and the congruence of written instructions and preferred communication style. Also examined are shame, an emotion associated with some traumas, socially appropriate emotion expression, and the impact of alexithymia on emotional disclosure. Research recommendations are provided.

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  1. Department of Management and International Business, The Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Lisa T. Stickney

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  1. Lisa T. Stickney
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Correspondence to Lisa T. Stickney.

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Stickney, L.T. Who Benefits from Pennebaker’s Expressive Writing? More Research Recommendations: A Commentary on Range and Jenkins. Sex Roles 63, 165–172 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9771-9

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