Reading for wellbeing: a realist review of evidence

While the current evidence base indicates that reading for pleasure facilitates many wellbeing related outcomes such as relaxation and escapism, little research has focused on the interplay between reading and wellbeing in detail. This review explores the evidence on reading for pleasure initiatives with a view of developing a theoretical understanding of the context and potential underlying causal mechanisms which support or inhibit wellbeing in adults.

We conducted a realist review whereby data collation, extraction, synthesis and analysis were conducted iteratively. The literature searches were conducted in January to February 2022 and May 2023.

In total, 43 papers were included. The literature highlighted seven interlinked mechanisms underlying reading for pleasure interventions at the level of the individual and as groups. These included reconnecting with reading, space away from daily stressors, perspective taking to enhance empathic abilities, creating and reawakening memories, intellectual stimulation, collective meaning-making and a conducive environment.

Our findings suggest that reading for pleasure enhances processes such as feelings of positivity, self-understanding, empathic relations, which impact upon a reader's salutogenic assets such as self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and connectedness.