Reading Between the Lines: How Childhood Home Reading Environment and Associated Psychological Need Satisfaction Relate to Adult Leisure Reading

Abstract

Despite the numerous lifelong benefits that are associated with continued leisure reading, there has been a steady decline in adult reading habits. Researchers have given limited attention to examining the factors that may influence whether an individual chooses to read recreationally beyond adolescence. Expanding on the previously studied positive impact of the various forms and quantities of reading exposure within the home environment on child and adolescent reading cognitions and practices, the purpose of this study was to understand how the recalled childhood home reading environment, and the associated psychological need satisfaction incurred during shared-reading experiences, was associated with adults’ leisure reading beliefs and practices. We used recalled basic psychological need satisfaction during parent-child shared reading experiences as a reflection of the degree of intrinsic reading motivation support as conceptualized within Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory. With a quantitative correlational survey design, we collected data from 214 Canadian adults (age 18-29). To answer our research questions, we used descriptive and correlational analyses and linear regressions. Contrary to previous findings, almost all participants reported some degree of leisure reading. Like previous findings, results of this study suggest that home reading environment may significantly contribute to the development and reinforcement of positive reading attitudes, identities and habits. However, basic psychological need satisfaction during childhood shared reading experiences did not appear to mediate this relationship. These results are discussed in terms of implications for both researchers and parents.