Recent interest in the potential uses of bibliotherapy (defined as a process of dynamic interaction between the reader and literature) has prompted research into the effects of bibliotherapy on the reader's attitudes and personality. This document lists and describes 14 completed doctoral dissertations in the area of bibliotherapy and its effects.…

Examines the history and effects of bibliotherapy, as well as problems in terminology and in finding documentation of its influence. Several studies are briefly discussed which do not support the claims of proponents of bibliotherapy. Forty-nine references are included. (BK)

Literature for children that treats issues of separation and divorce is written on all levels of comprehension and reading ability. (JH)

This digest suggests that bibliotherapy is a potentially powerful method for school teachers and counselors to use on many levels and in every school grade. It begins with a brief review of the history of bibliotherapy; continues with a discussion of some approaches to bibliotherapy (interactive, clinical, and developmental); then addresses the…

Attempted to evaluate a readily available comprehensive bibliothearpy smoking cessation program and the impact of smoking and nonsmoking behavior of a spouse on the individual to stop smoking. Results suggest that motivation is an important variable in smoking cessation. (Author)

This report presents an overview of the nature and uses of bibliotherapy. The concept is defined in complex as well as simplistic terminology within its historical context; and its dynamics, principles and objectives, and particular applications are discussed. The requisite qualities and skills of the bibliotherapist are analyzed and bibliotherapy…

This booklet provides an overview of the process of bibliotherapy and suggests some techniques that can be used in implementing it. Various sections of the booklet discuss the following topics: (1) the definition of bibliotherapy, (2) the history of bibliotherapy, (3) bibliotherapy and human needs, (4) the bibliotherapeutic process, (5) the…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prescribed literature on the reader's self-reliance. The subjects were 36 sixth grade children from the ages of eleven to thirteen. Pretest and posttest measures of self-reliance were made by the California Test of Personality and the Teacher Rating Scale. The subjects were randomly…

This research was designed to investigate the therapeutic value of bibliotherapy in effecting changes in the growth process (self-concept and self-actualization) of the individual in group counseling. Forty-two secondary school students enrolled in a high school in Texas participated in the study on a volunteer basis. The subjects were assigned to…

Bibliotherapy is the process of helping children find books that will help them personally. (JH)

Lists 20 problems adolescents may encounter, with a description of one young adult novel in which that problem is a central feature. Some of the problems addressed include abuse, AIDS, alcohol, alienation, crime, death, disabilities, divorce, drugs, ethics, homosexuality, peer pressure, pregnancy, prejudice, rape, religious pressure, school, sex,…

Examines the concept and practice of bibliotherapy. Considers how young adult fiction can be used as the subject of study in classrooms devoted to bibliotherapy ends. (HB)

Matching a young child to an appropriate book is an effective way of dispelling fears children might have of beginning school.

The article discusses bibliotherapy as a classroom method to help meet personal, social, and emotional needs of learning disabled (LD) adolescents. (PHR)

Traditional literary criticism, reader-response research, and the techniques of systemic therapy are brought together to provide guidelines for teachers and counselors concerned with using stories to further the emotional development of children. A theory of reader-story interaction is proposed, and a case is made for individually composed…