Final answer:
Writing about a traumatic event, as Andrea does, is likely to lead to improved emotional well-being, as it can help process trauma and contribute to personal growth. Expressive writing has been linked to beneficial outcomes such as increased short-term memory capacity and as a potential therapeutic tool for emotional disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on research findings, the likely effects of Andrea's writing about her traumatic childhood experience in a diary are D) Improved emotional well-being. This is supported by the concept of expressive writing, which has been shown to be beneficial for working through trauma. A study by Yogo and Fujihara (2008) indicated that writing about traumatic experiences improved short-term memory capacity, which can also be related to better emotional processing and management.
Reflecting on and writing about such experiences may initially cause some distress, as memories of the trauma are brought to the fore. However, continued expressive writing typically leads to processing of the emotions and can result in an improved state of emotional well-being. This serves as a therapeutic tool that might lead to treatments for disorders such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, as recollection paired with expression can mitigate the disability associated with traumatic recollections.
Moreover, the process of documenting one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be integral to personal growth. It allows an individual to track their development and change, thus presenting a clear picture of their transformation over time, which is valuable both for self-reflection and potential therapeutic outcomes.