Writing interventions with cancer survivors: which paradigms for which effects? A systematic review

The present study, filling a gap in the literature, aims at systematic review of studies with writing interventions addressed to cancer survivorship, examining the different writing paradigms used and related obtained effects.

This study was a systematic review. A literature search in MEDLINE/PubMed and PsycInfo from 2015 to 2025 was performed.

Data extraction, researchers' full agreement and the inclusion criteria produced 11 eligible studies. They show six different paradigms of writing used in cancer survivorship capable of addressing three different trajectories of effects: Psychopathological Symptoms: Expressive Writing (EW), Self-Regulation Writing; Bio-psycho-social well-being promotion: EW, Prosocial/Peer Help Writing, Gratitude Journaling, Written Guides. Body Image and Side Effects of Self-Management: EW; Focused Reflective Writing, Self-Compassion EW. Writing, in its plurality of paradigms and methods, appears a key tool used in cancer survivorship, mainly with breast cancer survivors; other types of cancer are underestimated. Cultural and demographic diversity is limited and most interventions are self-managed, online, or postal, with minimal clinical feedback.

Efforts are needed to clarify issues related to sample selection time from diagnosis -survisvorship vs long survivorship; stratification of age sample groups - under fifty vs over 50; to focus on other types of cancer in addition to breast cancer; to enrich the use of other writing paradigms like autobiographical writing, autopathography, and memory-based writing and to implement hybrid delivery formats.