BIBLIOTHERAPY IN ALLEVIATING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONGSELECTED UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN: A SURVEY-BASEDEVALUATION
Keywords:
Effect of Literature, Literature Readers vs. Non-Readers, Psychological distress, Social Media and Mental Health, Standardized Psychological Scale, Therapeutic use of Literature.Abstract
In today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, university students often experience high levels of psychological
distress. The increasing academic pressures, social expectations and personal challenges they face contribute to
mental health concerns. It making crucial to explore effective ways to support their well-being. This study aims
to assess with survey-based analysis, the impact of literature on the mental health of university students of the
selected universities in Pakistan with focusing on anxiety, depression and stress level. The study examines
literature reader vs non-reader students and their self-reported mental health outcomes. The study focus on
standardized psychological scales of (Spitzer 2006), (Kroenke 2001), and (Cohen 1983). The research employs
statistical techniques to explore the relationships between reading frequency, comparison and psychological wellbeing. The research aim to determine whether reading literature have a statistically significant positive effect on
reducing psychological distress. Findings from the study may inform educational mental health initiatives,
suggesting that literary engagement must be integrated into well-being programs to support student’s mental
health. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research on the role of literature in therapeutic
settings and its broader implications for mental health support on educational campuses.
