Studies // Cited work
When is crying cathartic? An international study
Bylsma, L. M., Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M., & Rottenberg, J. (2008). When is crying cathartic? An international study.
Level D Cross-sectional study doi:10.1521/jscp.2008.27.10.1165
What this study supports
Supports the claim that social support, resolution and new understanding were associated with reports of cathartic crying, and shame and suppression with fewer. Retrospective self-report in student samples.
- Who was studied
- Self-reports on the most recent crying episode from 2,181 male and 2,915 female students in 35 countries.
- Design
- Cross-sectional study
- Level of evidence
- Cross-sectional, observational, qualitative work and narrative reviews.
Claims that rest on it
Each claim states what the site asserts, at what strength, and with what caveat.
EmpiricalLevel DConfidence MODERATE
Whether people report crying as cathartic is associated with its context: social support, a resolution and new understanding make reported benefit more likely, and shame or suppression less likely.
- Scope
- Retrospective self-reports of the most recent crying episode by students in 35 countries.
- Caveat
- Cross-sectional recall data; laboratory studies often find worse mood immediately after crying.
Last reviewed · Review due · crying-benefit-depends-on-context