Expressive Writing Interventions Reduce Unforgiveness: Two Controlled Trials in Chinese Young Adults

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of expressive writing in reducing unforgiveness among Chinese young adults, with particular focus on the role letter writing (RLW). Methods: Two trials were conducted with Chinese participants experiencing interpersonal transgressions (Study 1: laboratory-based trial with university students, N = 114; Study 2: online-intensive trial with young adults, N = 98). Participants were assigned to RLW, benefit finding, emotional disclosure, or neutral control conditions. Results: Across two studies, RLW reduced unforgiveness ( p s < .01), avoidance ( p s < .05), and revenge motivations ( p s < .05) up to the 3-month follow-up. These effects were mediated by perspective taking and cognitive processing linguistic markers. Benefit finding, especially on consecutive days, also reduced unforgiveness ( p s < .05) at follow-ups, an effect mediated by cognitive processing linguistic markers. Discussion: Findings highlight the potential of RLW and benefit-finding writing in reducing unforgiveness among Chinese young adults.