Abstract

In this interview, social psychologist James Pennebaker discusses the positive effects that writing about trauma can have for writers. When asked about student veterans, in particular, Pennebaker makes it clear that he would neither encourage nor discourage veterans to write about their war experiences, but that he would encourage them—and would, in fact, encourage all students—to write about emotionally significant issues. However, he would encourage students to do so for short periods of time only, and not as graded assignments.