如果你曾經在閱讀某個悲劇故事或優美詩篇的過程中深受觸動，那麼你可能會同意文字能夠對我們的心理和情感造成深刻影響的說法。實際上，一些先前的研究已經證明指導人們 “self-help（自我幫助）” 的書籍能夠對心理健康產生積極的作用。而現在，越來越多的人認為閱讀虛構文學也能帶來類似的效果。本文淺談閱讀書籍對心理健康的作用。
詞匯：bibliotherapy 閱讀療法
1 “It opened up something in me that needed to be opened and needed to heal,” says Elizabeth Russell, a teacher and librarian from the US state of Connecticut. She was going through a rough patch in life when she found bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is the use of literature to support people with mental health and wellbeing issues. The benefits of non-fiction, self-help books are well documented – results from ‘A meta‐analysis of bibliotherapy studies’ suggest this type of bibliotherapy can help with conditions such as anxiety and depression – but what about fiction?
2 ‘Creative bibliotherapy’ may have similar advantages. Ella Berthoud, well-known bibliotherapist and author of The Novel Cure calls it ‘the art of prescribing fiction for life’s ailments‘. But how does it work? If you were to go to Ella for help, she’d start with a consultation. Then, she says, “I will guide you to books that put a finger on feelings you may often have had, but perhaps never clearly understood before.” Proponents of creative bibliotherapy say that immersing oneself in a good book can help readers process emotions, discover coping strategies or even just provide some escapism from life’s stresses.
3 But some experts worry the benefits of creative bibliotherapy are overhyped. Studies suggest reading may improve things such as empathy and self-confidence, but in terms of treating specific mental health conditions, the evidence is weak. Some stories may even cause harm, particularly if they trigger or reinforce the negative feelings someone wants to escape. It seems bibliotherapy is best used in conjunction with other therapies, rather than as a substitute.
4 In the UK, the Reading Agency’s Reading Well programme helps people manage their health and wellbeing with books. The books are recommended by health experts and people with lived experience of the topics covered. But, the organisation’s head of health and wellbeing, Gemma Jolly, understands that it’s “not a one size fits all.” She says, “It’s about having an additional tool that might work for some people.” Will you give bibliotherapy a go?
測驗與練習
一、根據文章內容選出正確的段落。
Which paragraph contains an example of a bibliotherapy organisation?
二、根據文章內容選出正確的選項。
1. In paragraph 1, what does ‘it’ refer to in the following sentence? “It opened up something in me that needed to be opened and needed to heal”.
a. bibliotherapy
b. mental health
c. depression
2. Bibliotherapy only makes use of non-fiction literature.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
3. There is evidence that creative bibliotherapy improves…
a. empathy
b. mental health conditions
c. both
4. Creative bibliotherapy may be harmful.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
5. Which sentence summarises Gemma Jolly’s view of bibliotherapy?
a. People should try books recommended by people who have had similar lived experience.
b. Most people can manage their mental health with books.
c. There’s no single solution that works for everyone.
三、用下列單詞完成對本文的總結。
There is evidence to suggest 1) ________ books can help people with their mental health. Creative bibliotherapists are now saying fiction may help us 2) ________ with our problems too. So, if you’re going through a 3) ________, why not 4) ________? Although experts warn that the benefits may be 5) ________.
cope
overhyped
give it a go
self-help
ailments
one size fits all
rough patch
（答案見詞匯表後）
詞匯表
rough patch 艱難的時期
non-fiction 非虛構的
self-help 自我幫助的
fiction 虛構的
prescribe 給…開（藥），開處方
ailment 病痛，傷痛
consultation 咨詢
put a finger on 明確地指出
immerse oneself 將自己沉浸於…之中
cope 應對
escapism 逃避現實
overhyped 過度炒作的
trigger 引起，觸發
reinforce 加強，強化
in conjunction 聯同，協同
one size fits all 一刀切的解決方法
give something a go 嘗試做某事
答案
一、根據文章內容選出正確的段落。
Paragraph 4. In the UK, the Reading Agency’s Reading Well programme helps people manage their health and wellbeing with books.
二、根據文章內容選出正確的選項。
1. a. She was going through a rough patch in life when she found bibliotherapy.
2. b. False. There are two types: bibliotherapy with non-fiction, self-help books, and ‘creative bibliotherapy’ which uses fiction.
3. a. Studies suggest reading may improve things such as empathy and self-confidence, but in terms of treating specific mental health conditions, the evidence is weak.
4. a. True. Some stories may even cause harm, particularly if they trigger or reinforce the negative feelings someone wants to escape.
5. c. Gemma Jolly understands that it’s “not a one size fits all.”
三、用下列單詞完成對本文的總結。
There is evidence to suggest self-help books can help people with their mental health. Creative bibliotherapists are now saying fiction may help us cope with our problems too. So, if you’re going through a rough patch, why not give it a go? Although experts warn that the benefits may be overhyped.
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