title: Transportations of space, time and self: the role of reading groups in managing mental distress in the community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The practice of reading and discussing literature in groups is long established, stretching back into classical antiquity. Although benefits of therapeutic reading groups have been highlighted, research into participants' perceptions of these groups has been limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of those attending therapeutic reading groups, considering the role of both the group, and the literature itself, in participants' ongoing experiences of distress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven participants were recruited from two reading groups in the South-East of England. One focus group was run, and eight individuals self-selected for individual interviews. The data were analysed together using a thematic analysis drawing on dialogical theories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants described the group as an anchor, which enabled them to use fiction to facilitate the discussion of difficult emotional topics, without referring directly to personal experience. Two aspects of this process are explored in detail: the use of narratives as transportation, helping to mitigate the intensity of distress; and using fiction to explore possibilities, alternative selves and lives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For those who are interested and able, reading groups offer a relatively de-stigmatised route to exploring and mediating experiences of distress. Implications in the present UK funding environment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Tavistock Centre , London , UK and.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shipman
authors.affiliation: b School of Psychology, University of East London , Stratford , UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008091:Literature; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011932:Reading; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: affect; community arts; dialogical self; mental health; therapeutic reading group