JOURNAL ARTICLE

Digital Therapy for Negative Consumption Experiences: The Impact of Emotional and Rational Reviews on Review Writers.

  • Published In: Journal of Consumer Research, 2025, v. 51, n. 5. P. 937 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Wu, Alisa Yinghao; Morwitz, Vicki G 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates how the way consumers write online reviews about negative consumption experiences influences their psychological recovery. Across five studies combining field data and experiments, it finds that writing integrated reviews—those expressing both emotional and rational aspects—helps review writers recover better affectively (feeling better) and cognitively (increased intentions to revisit) than writing reviews focused solely on emotions or rational thoughts. Physiological data support a catharsis mechanism for affective recovery, showing increased blood pressure after writing integrated reviews, while cognitive recovery is linked to fewer negative thoughts recalled, consistent with cognitive reappraisal theory. Review readers perceive integrated reviews as at least as helpful and likable as emotional or rational reviews, suggesting benefits for both consumers and businesses when integrated reviews are encouraged. The research highlights the potential of online review writing as a form of digital therapy for consumers coping with negative experiences.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Consumer Research. 2025/02, Vol. 51, Issue 5, p937
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0093-5301
  • DOI:10.1093/jcr/ucae037
  • Accession Number:182437300
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Consumer Research is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.