Reading fiction books as a stimulus for changes in intrapersonal and interpersonal communication: a bibliotherapeutic approach

Abstract

Bibliotherapy, as a somewhat formalized interdisciplinary practice, is traditionally associated with providing expert assistance to individuals through books, whether in the form of recommended reading or interactive support. This is also reflected in empirical studies that investigate the effects of bibliotherapeutic reading. However, recently, with the emergence of an educational focus on bibliotherapy aimed at personal growth, there have been calls to explore the bibliotherapeutic effects of leisure reading. This article employs the tools of the bibliotherapeutic approach in an exploratory study of leisure reading to examine how Lithuanians who enjoy reading fiction perceive its impact on intrapersonal and interpersonal communication. The study revealed a positive transformative effect on both levels of communication and confirmed the hypothesis that the bibliotherapeutic impact of deep reading can be experienced without professional assistance. This implies that the bibliotherapeutic approach is suitable for examining readers’ perceptions of the effects of leisure reading.