Have you ever come up with something that you thought you had said for the first time?
I thought I had come up with the idea of “Reading Therapy,” but today, I decided to search for it. It turns out that this therapy has a long history.
1: History of this Term
1- The term “bibliotherapy” was first introduced by essayist Samuel McChord Crothers in his 1916 article “A Literary Clinic,” published in The Atlantic Monthly.
2- A librarian named Arleen McCarty Hynes was a pioneer in bibliotherapy. She co-authored “Biblio/Poetry Therapy: The Interactive Process: A Handbook,” which remains a foundational text in the field.
3- David D. Burns‘ book “Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy” (1980) popularized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and demonstrated the efficacy of self-help literature in treating depression.
4- Susan Elderkin and Ella Berthoud, together authored “The Novel Cure: An A-Z of Literary Remedies,” offering readers a compendium of novels recommended for various ailments, thereby bringing bibliotherapy to a broader audience.
Study N.1: The impact of school-based creative bibliotherapy
Mental health issues in children and adolescents has been a growing concern.
Objectives of this study:
- 1- Examine the impact of school-based creative bibliotherapy on child and adolescent mental health.
- 2- Identify the mechanisms and contexts through which bibliotherapy achieves its effects.
How reading can help children:
- Identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy principles).
- Develop empathy and emotional processing through character identification.
- Engage in “transportation”—immersion in a fictional world that influences real-world beliefs and behaviors.
- Benefit from group reading dynamics, fostering community and emotional support.
Point: This study has used creative bibliotherapy, not self-help one. You may want to consider the differences.
What is the difference between self-help and creative bibliotherapy?
✔️Self-Help Bibliotherapy: Uses non-fiction/self-help books to address mental health issues, often recommended by medical professionals.
✔️Creative Bibliotherapy: Engages individuals or groups in reading fiction, poetry, or stories to enhance mental well-being.
Study N.2: A Systematic Review on Bibliotherapy and Its Effectiveness in Psychotherapeutic Dimension
Definition of Bibliotherapy
1- It is a creative arts therapy (also known as reading therapy or book therapy) that uses books, poetry, and literature for healing.
2- It operates through a therapist-text-patient triangle, allowing individuals to interact with texts for emotional catharsis and cognitive restructuring.
Advantages of bibliotherapy
1-Low cost and accessibility: Easily available for people who lack access to traditional therapy.
2-Personalized and private: Allows individuals to engage at their own pace without social stigma.
3-Broad applicability: Effective across different psychological conditions and populations.
Therapeutic Principles of Bibliotherapy
Multiple psychological mechanisms through which bibliotherapy works:
- Identification: Readers relate to book characters, helping them see their struggles from an external perspective.
- Catharsis: Emotional release occurs when individuals empathize with characters.
- Cognitive Equilibrium: Helps individuals balance emotions by processing their feelings through stories.
- Insight & Reflection: Encourages critical thinking about personal struggles.
- Suggestion Effect: Books can positively influence thoughts and behaviors through self-suggestion.
Bibliotherapy is linked to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as it helps individuals challenge negative thoughts and restructure perspectives.
Effectiveness of Bibliotherapy
The success of this therapy depends on:
- 1-The reader’s cognitive ability and self-discipline.
- 2-The choice of books. Not all reading materials have the same therapeutic impact.
- 3-The level of engagement. Active reflection and application of insights improve outcomes.
Study N.3: The long-term effects of bibliotherapy in depression treatment
The study systematically reviews the long-term effects of bibliotherapy (self-help therapy using books) as a treatment for depression.
The authors conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined bibliotherapy’s effectiveness in treating depression over the long term.
In comparison to individual cognitive therapy, bibliotherapy had a higher relapse rate over two years.
Key Measures Used in the Studies:
To assess depression severity and treatment effectiveness, the studies used widely accepted clinical depression scales, including:
- Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I & BDI-II)
- Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
- Automatic Thought Questionnaire (ATQ)
- Cognitive Therapy Scale (CTS)
- Social Adjustment Scale (SAS)
Limitations of Bibliotherapy:
- Less effective for adolescents and young adults, especially in high school and college settings.
- Higher relapse rates compared to individual psychotherapy.
- Requires good reading and comprehension skills, which may exclude certain populations.
- Limited research on its effectiveness beyond 3 years.
Study N.4: Bibliotherapy as a Non-pharmaceutical Intervention to Enhance Mental Health
The study followed a modified PICO model (Participants, Intervention, and Outcome) to assess bibliotherapy’s impact.
The study also included a bioethical meta-analysis focusing on values like autonomy, justice, and liberty in mental health interventions.
Positive Psychological Effects
- Bibliotherapy has shown effectiveness in improving self-concept, locus of control, and emotional resilience.
- It promotes autonomy, allowing individuals to take an active role in their treatment.
- Some studies found significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and distress symptoms.
