REVIEW

A Systematic Review of International Empirical Studies on Bibliotherapy from Open-Access Platforms: Application Contexts, Thematic Structures, and Research Frontiers

  • Su Liting ,
  • Wu Hao ,
  • Wang Jingwen
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  • 1 Jitang College, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210;
    2 Department of Information Engineering, Shijiazhuang Vocational and Technical College, Shijiazhuang 050800;
    3 Library, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210
Su Liting, Senior Engineer, PhD; Wu Hao, Professor, Master’s Degree; Wang Jingwen, Research Librarian, Master’s Supervisor, Corresponding Author, E-mail: tsmywwjw@163.com.

Received date: 2025-07-30

  Revised date: 2025-10-21

  Online published: 2026-08-20

Supported by

This work is supported by the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC) project titled “Research on International Experience and Chinese Path of Integrating Bibliotherapy into College Mental Health Education System” (Grant No. 24BTQ007).

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] Empirical studies are an important part of bibliotherapy research. Conducting a systematic analysis of it can distill practical laws, break through application bottlenecks, and thereby promote the application and model innovation of bibliotherapy. [Method/Process] Using open-access platforms as data sources, this study employs a systematic review method to sort out empirical research literature on foreign bibliotherapy. Through literature screening, coding, and theme extraction, it constructs a research framework and analyzes cutting-edge directions. [Result/Conclusion] Foreign bibliotherapy has formed a multi-disciplinary integration paradigm with library science, education and psychology as the core. The research groups cover all age groups and various groups, and the core application scenarios focus on schools, hospitals, communities and families. The research themes based on core logic and methodological essence present a “pyramid” structure: the bottom layer explores potential correlations through correlation analysis, the middle layer promotes practical implementation through practical strategies, and the top layer verifies effects through efficacy evaluation. Deepening mechanism analysis, optimizing intervention design, advancing technology integration, and improving the methodological system will be the focus and hotspots of future research.

Cite this article

Su Liting , Wu Hao , Wang Jingwen . A Systematic Review of International Empirical Studies on Bibliotherapy from Open-Access Platforms: Application Contexts, Thematic Structures, and Research Frontiers[J]. Library and Information Service, 2026 , 70(16) : 235 -246 . DOI: 10.13266/j.issn.0252-3116.2026.16.034

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