The effect of group bibliotherapy on the self-esteem of female students living in dormitory

INTRODUCTION: Bibliotherapy is a supplement, simple, inexpensive and readily available method to treat the diseases that is performed with cooperation of librarians and psychologists or doctors. The aim of this study is the investigation of group bibliotherapy's effect on the self-esteem of the female students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Living in Dormitory in 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is an interventional semi-experimental study with pre test and post test and control group. The statistical population of study consisted of 32 female students who reside in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences dormitories which control and case groups and the students were divided randomly between these two groups. Data was collected by Cooper Smith Self-esteem questionnaire scale (Cronbach's alpha: 0.85). Two groups were examined by the questionnaire in pre test. Case group received group bibliotherapy for 2 month (8 sessions of 2 hours), while the control group received no training at all. Then, 2 groups were assessed in post test after 1 month. Descriptive statistics (means and frequencies distribution) and inferential statistics (independent t- test, paired t- test and mann whitney) were used and data was analyzed by SPSS20 software. RESULTS: The findings showed that group bibliotherapy had positive and significant effect on general, family, professional and total self esteem of female students living in dormitories, but it had no effect on their social self esteem. CONCLUSION: Group bibliotherapy can increase female students’ self-esteem levels. On the other hand, conducting these studies not only can improve mental health of people, but can also improve their reading habits.