Ekspressiv skriving som egenterapeutisk verktöy ett år etter brystkreftdiagnosen - resultater fra
en norsk pilotstudie
Sammanfattning
The article presents findings from a pilot study on expressive writing, a therapeutic method
undescribed in a Norwegian scientific context. Objective: 1. Gain qualitative data on breast cancer
women’s experiences with expressive writing. 2. Evaluate the intervention’s feasibility, based on
participants’ experiences of the instruction, procedure, and circumstances for writing. Method &
design: The study has an exploratory descriptive design. Data collection was achieved through in-
depth interviews, followed by experiential thematic analysis of transcripts. Results: Two women
enrolled, participating in writing/interviews. Analysis revealed three themes: "The experience of the
writing process", "Writing as working through and work to clear the mind", "Strength and vulnerability
in relation to others". Conclusion: Findings reveal that expressive writing was experienced as
achievable for two breast cancer women, one year after diagnosis. Writing provided an opportunity to
work through, and sort out, feelings and thoughts connected to participants’ lives and illness
experiences. The instruction was evaluated as easy to understand and inspiring. The women became
absorbed in electronic writing in their own homes. They both recommended expressive writing for
other women with breast cancer, especially in the period after initial diagnosis.