Bibliotherapy: Definitions, uses and studies

Bibliotherapy is defined as an interaction between the reader and certain literature which is useful in aiding personal adjustment. A review of the literature includes a discussion of its uses in mental hospitals, with maladjusted individuals; and in the classroom, with retarded, gifted, and average students. Bibliographies are suggested for bibliotherapeutic purposes from the primary grades through college, and some studies are offered which support these uses. It is concluded that bibliotherapy can help meet the developmental needs not only of young people in the classroom, but also of some maladjusted individuals.