The Effects of Expressive Writing on the Cultural-Emotional Expression of Filipino Adolescents: A Quasi-Experimental Study

This quasi-experimental study explored the effects of expressive writing on the cultural-emotional expression of Filipino adolescents using the Cultural and Emotional Expression Scale for Filipino Youth (CEES-FY). Ninety-two participants aged 18 to 25 were allocated to one of three groups: Guided Expressive Writing, Emotional Expressive Writing, or Free Writing. Over four weeks, participants engaged in writing sessions designed to elicit emotional and cultural reflection. Pre- and post-tests measured changes in cultural-emotional expression. Results of paired-samples t-tests and a two-way mixed ANOVA revealed no statistically significant improvements across all groups, despite slight descriptive increases, most notably in the guided writing group. These findings suggest that short-term expressive writing interventions may not significantly enhance emotional expression in a culturally nuanced context. Despite the non-significant findings, the study contributes preliminary empirical evidence on expressive writing within a Filipino cultural context, where cultural values and social expectations may shape how emotions are understood and expressed. The findings highlight the importance of culturally responsive approaches when adapting expressive writing and other low-intensity mental health interventions for Filipino adolescents. Rather than demonstrating the effectiveness of a specific writing condition, the results provide a basis for further investigation into whether longer intervention periods, culturally grounded writing prompts, or alternative approaches to emotional expression may produce stronger effects. This study therefore contributes to the emerging literature on expressive writing in collectivist cultural contexts and offers directions for the development and evaluation of culturally responsive mental health and educational interventional.