An Evaluation of Interactive Bibliotherapy in a Clinical Setting

Abstract

Assessments by ward senior staff of 25 bibliotherapy groups offered by 17 different facilitators between 1977 and 1986 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, D.C., were analyzed. Questionnaires completed by the staff indicate that they are consistently positive in their evaluation of bibliotherapy as a modality. The staff believe bibliotherapy promotes a higher quality of interaction among patients and that, in the hospital setting, the modality is particularly beneficial to patients who are withdrawn, socially isolated and/or have been hospitalized for many years, as well as for stabilized admissions. Patients who benefit least are those whose deficiencies in thinking, attending and verbalizing are so great as to make meaningful participation impossible.