J Psycholinguist Res (2008) 37:115–124 DOI 10.1007/s10936-007-9062-y Expressive Electronic Journal Writing: Freedom of Communication for Survivors of Acquired Brain Injury Michael Fraas · Magdalen A. Balz Published online: 15 November 2007 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007 Abstract In addition to the impaired ability to effectively communicate, adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) also experience high incidences of depression, social isolation, and decreased quality of life. Expressive writing programs have been shown to be effective in alleviating these concomitant impairments in other populations including incarcerated inmates (Lane, Writing as a road to self-discovery, F & W, Cincinnati 1993). In addition, computer applications such as email have been suggested as an effective means of improv- ing communication and social isolation in adults with brain injury (Sohlberg et al. [2003]. Brain Injury, 17(7), 609–629). This investigation examines the effects of on-line expressive journal writing on the communication, emotional status, social integration and quality of life of individuals with brain injury. Keywords Expressive writing · Brain injury · Emotional status · Social integration · Quality of life Introduction It is estimated that 5.4million Americans live with the long-term effects of acquired brain injury (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2001). Adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience a number of deficits following their injury, including: depression, social iso- lation, and impaired ability to effectively communicate. The cyclical nature of these deficits ‘imprisons’ the individual, resulting in a decrease in one’s quality of life. Research indicates that between 15% and 42% of adults with ABI have some amount of depression (Glenn et al. 2004). The prevalence of depression increases following the first year after onset of the injury (Fleminger et al. 2003). Subsequently, 27% of patients who formally appear asymptomatic immediately following injury develop major depression (Glenn et al. 2001). M. Fraas (B ) · M. A. Balz Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of New Hampshire, 151 Hewitt Hall, 4 Library Way, Durham NH 03824, USA e-mail: michael.fraas@unh.edu 123