The Effect of a Bibliotherapy Program on Positive Mental Health Among Psychiatric Inpatients

Patients hospitalized in psychiatric clinics may experience high levels of psychological distress due to both social isolation and the challenges of the hospital environment. This can negatively impact patients' adherence to treatment and recovery processes. Therefore, in addition to symptom reduction, effective and applicable interventions that support patients' positive mental health (e.g., self-esteem, social connection, and psychological resilience) are needed. Recent research has shown that bibliotherapy provides significant benefits for inpatients. Bibliotherapy is a method that aims to improve the psychological health of individuals through structured reading materials. Studies have shown significant reductions in psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress in patients undergoing bibliotherapy. In particular, specific studies conducted on inpatients have observed that bibliotherapy not only alleviates symptoms but also increases positive mental health components such as self-efficacy and psychological resilience. Bibliotherapy programs help patients better understand themselves, express their emotions in a safe environment, and improve their empathy skills. Bibliotherapy, applied in a group format, supports positive psychological functioning by strengthening social interaction and a sense of belonging among patients. This approach holds a significant place among non-pharmacological treatment options due to its affordability and ease of application. Evidence in the literature shows that bibliotherapy has short-term effects as well as sustainable long-term gains. For example, a study by Smith et al. found that improvement achieved with bibliotherapy lasted up to three years. Furthermore, meta-analyses and systematic reviews by Pannu et al. and Boer et al. confirm that bibliotherapy is an effective complementary method in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety.

In light of these literature findings, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of a bibliotherapy program applied to inpatients in psychiatric clinics on their positive mental health levels. The results are expected to contribute to the widespread adoption of bibliotherapy in hospital settings and the development of new evidence-based intervention programs.

Inclusion criteria

• Volunteering to participate in the research
• Being over 18 years of age
• Being literate

Exclusion criteria

• Active psychosis / being in a psychotic episode
• Inability to attend all bibliotherapy sessions