(PS3-14) Examining Therapeutic Effects of Reading Mythical Fantasy Literature on the Mental Health of Hispanic College Women

Interpersonal conflicts negatively impact mental health of young women. There is little research on whether recreational reading of mythical fantasy fiction may offer therapeutic effects on depression stemming from interpersonal conflict. Mythical fantasy fictions may make the reader vicariously experience interpersonal conflict and help learn adaptive coping strategies used by a relatable character in a story, which may result in decreases in depression. The following hypotheses were examined in Hispanic college women: 1) greater perceived interpersonal conflict would be associated with higher levels of depression and maladaptive coping: 2) reading a fantasy fiction piece would improve perceived interpersonal conflict levels, depression, and coping strategies more significantly than reading a non-fiction piece.  

76 Hispanic college women completed two sessions; each a week apart. During the first session, participants completed demographic items, the Test of Negative Social Exchange (TENSE), Brief Cope (BCOPE), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress 21 Depression (DASS-D). Participants read either a fantasy fiction piece depicting interpersonal conflicts, depression, and coping (n=31) or a non-fiction piece (n=42) (randomly assigned). During the second session participants completed the same measures. Adaptive and maladaptive coping composite scales were developed with subscales of the BCOPE.

Interpersonal conflict was significantly correlated with maladaptive coping (r(71)= .324, p < .001) and depression (r(71)=.465, p< .001) The time effect for perceived interpersonal conflict (TENSE) was significant (F 1,69) =4.34, p< .05), but neither reading group effect nor time x reading group effect was significant (ps >.05). Neither time nor reading group effect for depression (DASS-D) was significant (ps >.05). The time x reading group effect was marginally significant for depression (F 1,71) = 3.90, p= .052). There was no significant time, reading group, or time x reading group effect for either adaptive or maladaptive coping (BCope) (ps >.05).

The study confirms a relationship between higher interpersonal conflict and depression/maladaptive coping. It also noted a notable time effect on perceived interpersonal conflict. Engaging in reading, regardless of genre, may act as a refreshing experience, offering relief from interpersonal stressors. Contrary to the hypothesis, the marginally significant time x reading group effect for depression revealed slightly superior therapeutic effects of the non-fiction piece to the fantasy piece. As fantasy reading allowed for various interpretations, with some finding a therapeutic message in the fantasy reading piece and others viewing it merely as another piece of fiction. Mechanisms of why the non-fiction piece reduced depression are unknown. Coping strategies didn’t change significantly in response to either reading piece. Changing one’s coping strategies may require more rigorous therapeutic approaches. The current groups had small sample sizes and the non-significant results may be attributed to low power. Future research should implement multiple reading practice sessions and explore therapeutic effects of various recreational fantasy and non-fiction readings.