How to design a trigger warning: An experimental study on the impact of trigger warning wording on affect, expectations, intrusions, and felt respect

Trigger warnings (TWs) aim to alert individuals to potentially distressing content. Most studies found no beneficial effects; some have even reported adverse effects. However, due to their increasing use, there is a large heterogeneity in wording and design across contexts. Inspired by expectation research, this study examined the impact of different TW formulations on negative affect, expectations, symptom experiences (i.e. intrusions), and perceived respect and autonomy. Using the trauma film paradigm, N = 143 healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) TW with content and emotional reaction details, (2) TW without details, or (3) no TW. There were no group differences in negative affect. Between the TW conditions, participants who received the less specific TW reported lower coping expectations, more intrusions, and greater distress over three days. The wording of a TW seems to have differential effects. Providing both content information and expected emotional reactions appears to be more beneficial.