‘The book’s a conversation starter’: a realist exploration of the salutogenic potential of reading for pleasure

Mihirini Sirisena*, Monique Lhussier, Eileen Kaner, Angela Wearn, Joanne Gray, Rebecca James, Sam Redgate

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Reading for Wellbeing (RfW) is a pilot initiative, aimed at improving mental health and well-being through supporting access and increasing opportunities to read for pleasure. RfW was implemented across six North-East local authorities in England and employed Community Reading Workers to support access to books and reading for targeted populations. The current study used realist methodology to understand context, potential mechanisms of action, acceptability and reported outcomes. Data generation and analysis were conducted iteratively, using focus groups, interviews and observations. The analysis of the collated data highlighted that a positive attitude towards reading and a desire for social connections were significant motivators for engagement with RfW. This paper postulates eight programme theories relating to that context, which describe key mechanisms within RfW linked to engagement with reading, well-being, connections and practice. The paper concludes that previous notions of positivity associated with reading for pleasure enable participants to experience RfW as a positive social encounter. This positive social encounter enhances participants’ multiple resistance resources such as increased sense of self-efficacy and connectedness that could impact on their sense of well-being.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)504-512
Number of pages9
JournalMedical Humanities
Volume50
Early online date30 Apr 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • reading for pleasure
  • salutogenesis
  • realist methods

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