Reading and writing for well‐being: A qualitative exploration of the therapeutic experience of older adult participants in a bibliotherapy and creative writing group

Abstract

This study provides a qualitative exploration of the therapeutic mechanisms occurring within three community-based reading and writing for well-being groups, primarily attended by older adults, located in a large city in England. It is increasingly accepted that community-based participatory arts programmes can contribute to health and well-being (Clift, 2012). However, research in this area has tended to focus on the visual and performing arts, with less attention given to literary interventions. Additionally, whilst the concept of bibliotherapy stretches back centuries, writings on this topic have been predominantly anecdotal and the research literature is thin (Detrixhe, 2010). This study aims to develop a deeper understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms occurring within these groups which facilitate well-being, with the objectives of: 1) enhancing practitioners' ability to effectively implement such interventions, and 2) contributing to the development of a strong theoretical base from which such interventions can be meaningfully evaluated. Twelve individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted for this study and analysed using thematic analysis, following the guidelines of Braun & Clarke (2006). Four overarching themes were developed through the analysis, which are expressed through a relational framework. These include: 'Relationship to self', 'Relationship with others', 'Relationship to facilitator' and 'An intermediary object'. It is concluded that, whilst some of the therapeutic processes are similar to those occurring in other community-based participatory arts programmes, additional key processes are related to unique features of the literary arts, as well as the facilitator's group design, training, and way of relating.

Effects of Developmental Bibliotherapy on Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults Living in Nursing Homes: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…As shown in Table 4, the NA and NE of older adults were signifi cantly reduced aft er 6 weeks of reading (p < 0.05). Resilience, positive state, and emotional existence of an individual are key elements of happiness (Malyn et al, 2020). Reading can give older adults a sense of amusement and participation and helps improve their resilience and refl ective attitude toward life (Rothbauer & Dalmer, 2018).…”

Community‐based responses to loneliness in older people: A systematic review of qualitative studies

“…Value was placed on the social connection and knowledge exchange made possible by a familiar and therefore comfortable environment (Reynolds et al, 2015). In other group settings, participants valued the ability to share their experiences without pressure or judgement, and to listen to others with openness and empathy (Malyn et al, 2020), stressing that social connection did not have to arise from familiarity, but rather security.…”

Bibliotherapy: Reading OVID During COVID

“…More specifically, therapeutic reading is a source of appeasement for mental health disorders (namely, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depressive episodes, phobias, sleep disorders, etc.) or for strengthening psychological well-being (8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…In addition, according to some authors, Bibliotherapy can be called developmental bibliotherapy ( 17 , 27 ), or affective bibliotherapy ( 28 ) to differentiate it from cognitive behavioral bibliotherapy (CBT). CBT mainly uses self-help books ( 9 ).…”