Enjoying and enduring: groups reading aloud for wellbeing

Davis, Jane A.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60426-8

Cited by 27 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…Deeper, wider, and richer resources are offered within the broadly human realm than are offered through the medicalised "self-help" pigeon hole'. 12 After only a few weeks, participants began to gain an appreciation of the literature for its own sake rather than as a 'remedy', and thus contributed and interacted as interested members of a reading group rather than as patients. The notion of 'recovery' in such a context related as much to the rediscovery of old or forgotten, suppressed or inaccessible modes of thought, feeling, and experience as to the discovery of new ones, as the report on the reading and depression study attests:…”

Section: Reading and Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

'Reading for Life': Prison Reading Groups in Practice and Theory

Billington¹

2011

Critical Survey

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This article considers the theoretical and practice-based evidence for the therapeutic effects of the shared reading of literature (poetry, fiction, plays, short stories) in prison communities. Taking as its starting point recent research and practice relating to the successful intervention ('Get into Reading') pioneered by UK charity The Reader Organisation, the article situates the components of this model in the context of established theories of reader response, as well as new research on reading and the brain. Yet its focus is always shared reading in practice and, through specific examples and testimony from prisoners and those who read with them (including health professionals), the article demonstrates the vital relation of this intervention to current recommendations in respect of the mental health needs of prisoners. It also offers a possible model for future interdisciplinary research in this field.

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Section: Reading and Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

'Reading for Life': Prison Reading Groups in Practice and Theory

Billington¹

2011

Critical Survey

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“…The topics addressed throughout the program included "loneliness," "dealing with adversity," "loss and grief," "forgiveness," "gratitude," "positive attitude," "meaning in life," "compassion," "love and giving," "self-acceptance," "responsibility," "parenting," and more. The innovative content of the "Read to Connect" program was delivered within a "shared reading" model (a read-aloud session in a group setting) developed by the Reader organization in the UK [17]. The "Bibliotherapy for Staff" program described in this paper presents a modified version of the author's original program adjusted to a new client group.…”

Section: Program Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been also widely recognized as an effective tool of promoting health, well-being, and resilience, which reflects the view of literature as "being healthpromoting in the widest human sense" [11]. Today, bibliotherapy offers a variety of successful applications that range from one-on-one and group sessions run by psychologists and psychiatrists in medical clinics and hospitals [12][13], to collaborative "Books on Prescription" programs offered by public libraries partnering with healthcare organizations [14][15], to "shared reading" groups facilitated in a variety of settings, including libraries, schools, retirement homes, hospitals, drug rehabilitation units, shelters, community centers, and prisons [11,[16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bibliotherapy-based Wellness Program for Healthcare Providers: Using Books and Reading to Create a Healthy Workplace

Tukhareli

2017

J Can Health Libr Assoc

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Within the context of benefits of a healthy workplace, bibliotherapy is seen as an effective way of promoting health and wellness to hospital employees. The paper will present a detailed description of an innovative informational and recreational bibliotherapy-based reading program for healthcare providers developed and implemented by a Health Sciences library, in collaboration with the Occupational Health department. The methodology involved an extensive review of the bibliotherapy research and best practices in the UK and North America. The mechanics, benefits, and challenges of the program will be discussed. The program evaluation included an internal survey to the hospital employees. The evaluation results show that the bibliotherapy program has provided a new venue to address work-related stress and promote health, well-being, and resilience within the organization. Moreover, it helped to expand opportunities for collaborative projects and partnerships for the library as well as increase visibility of the library within the organization.

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“…While such potential benefits of therapeutic reading groups have been highlighted (Davis, 2009;Walwyn & Rowley, 2011), research into participants' experiences of the groups has been limited (McKenna, Hevey & Martin, 2010;Walwyn & Rowley, 2011). This project thus aimed to explore the subjective experience of reading groups, from the perspective of those attending.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Undoubtedly, there are limitations to the use of reading groups as a therapeutic tool, such as fluctuating levels of concentration experienced by some individuals with mental health conditions, particularly considering the medication that some may be taking, and possible low literacy levels. These limitations can, in some cases, be mitigated by reading aloud together (Davis, 2009), though the challenges of reading aloud such as social anxiety and the potential for feelings of shame, should be considered.…”

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confidence: 99%

Transportations of space, time and self: the role of reading groups in managing mental distress in the community

Shipman

McGrath

2016

Journal of Mental Health

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BackgroundThe practice of reading and discussing literature in groups is long established, stretching back into classical antiquity (Fischer, 2004). While benefits of therapeutic reading groups have been highlighted, research into participants' perceptions of these groups has been limited (Walwyn & Rowley, 2011). AimsTo explore the experiences of those attending therapeutic reading groups, considering the role of both the group, and the literature itself, in participants' ongoing experiences of distress. MethodEleven participants were recruited from two reading groups in the South East of England.One focus group was run, and eight individuals self selected for individual interviews. The data were analysed together using a thematic analysis drawing on dialogical theories. ResultsParticipants described the group as an anchor, which enabled them to use fiction to facilitate the discussion of difficult emotional topics, without referring directly to personal experience.Two aspects of this process are explored in detail: the use of narratives as transportation, helping to mitigate the intensity of distress; and using fiction to explore possibilities, alternative selves and lives. ConclusionsFor those who are interested and able, reading groups offer a relatively de-stigmatised route 3 to exploring and mediating experiences of distress. Implications in the present UK funding environment are discussed. Declaration of interest :No financial support was received for this work.Transportations of space, time and self: The role of therapeutic reading groups in managing mental distress in the community. 4 1.

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Enjoying and enduring: groups reading aloud for wellbeing

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

'Reading for Life': Prison Reading Groups in Practice and Theory

'Reading for Life': Prison Reading Groups in Practice and Theory

Bibliotherapy-based Wellness Program for Healthcare Providers: Using Books and Reading to Create a Healthy Workplace

Transportations of space, time and self: the role of reading groups in managing mental distress in the community

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