How Does Reading Fiction Support Adolescents' Wellbeing? A Qualitative Study Examining Positive Affect, Connection and Personal Growth
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| Title: | How Does Reading Fiction Support Adolescents' Wellbeing? A Qualitative Study Examining Positive Affect, Connection and Personal Growth |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Nicola Currie (ORCID |
| Source: | Reading Psychology. 2025 46(7):654-679. |
| Availability: | Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 26 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Fiction, Adolescents, Reading Materials, Well Being, Affective Behavior, Interpersonal Relationship, Individual Development, Emotional Response, Foreign Countries, Mental Health, Secondary School Students |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (Scotland) |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02702711.2025.2504974 |
| ISSN: | 0270-2711 1521-0685 |
| Abstract: | This study provides novel and nuanced insights into the relationship between adolescents' fiction reading and their wellbeing. In total, 19 adolescents (aged 15-17-years-old) living in the UK participated in semi-structured interviews exploring three aspects of wellbeing: positive affect, connection and personal growth. In relation to positive affect, adolescents reported a range of rich and diverse emotions in relation to reading, with current emotional state and/or reading environment often influencing this. Regarding connection, adolescents shared feelings of connection to fictional characters, friends, family and online reading communities through reading, with each of these connections enriching them in different ways. Finally, in relation to personal growth, adolescents expressed that books nurtured their own personal development, supported their empathy and understanding of others, and improved their general knowledge and literacy skills. This research significantly deepens and expands our understanding of the enriching effects that fiction reading can have for adolescents and highlights the need for research-informed practices to increase their engagement with books. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1490044 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | This study provides novel and nuanced insights into the relationship between adolescents' fiction reading and their wellbeing. In total, 19 adolescents (aged 15-17-years-old) living in the UK participated in semi-structured interviews exploring three aspects of wellbeing: positive affect, connection and personal growth. In relation to positive affect, adolescents reported a range of rich and diverse emotions in relation to reading, with current emotional state and/or reading environment often influencing this. Regarding connection, adolescents shared feelings of connection to fictional characters, friends, family and online reading communities through reading, with each of these connections enriching them in different ways. Finally, in relation to personal growth, adolescents expressed that books nurtured their own personal development, supported their empathy and understanding of others, and improved their general knowledge and literacy skills. This research significantly deepens and expands our understanding of the enriching effects that fiction reading can have for adolescents and highlights the need for research-informed practices to increase their engagement with books. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0270-2711 1521-0685 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/02702711.2025.2504974 |
