READERS ARE MORE SATISFIED WITH THEIR LIVES THAN NONREADERS, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS
KELLY JENSEN
"Studies have shown that readers are more empathetic and that it can improve cognitive function. A new study by SuperSummary, an online resource that provides in-depth study guides, suggests reading has yet another benefit: self-identified readers are more satisfied with their lives than those who don’t identify as readers."Jensen took the data from this survey and really dug into it, analyzing why the results came out the way they did. I really appreciated the time she took to look at possible causes and effects rather than just spit back out the data at us.
For example, she really looks at the financial side of being a reader. Readers are not inherently happier and healthier because they read, rather readers tend to be more financially stable and thus have an easier time getting access to better food. Again from her article:
"The idea that readers have better eating habits because they hold themselves in higher esteem than nonreaders fails to account for the fact that eating healthy is socially constructed and a privilege to those with time and resources."This is just one example of what Jensen is bringing to the table. She provides insight into many of the outcomes reported by SuperSummary.
Thank you Jensen for taking the time to really dig into this study and think about it from all angles, not just the reader vs nonreader obvious point of view. We need more thoughtful, holistic looks at the massive amounts of data we currently find at our fingertips. It takes time and effort, but, as I found with Jensen's article, it is totally worth it.
There are a lot of implications for our work with readers-- at all age levels-- here. Please take some time to click through and read the entire piece. There is a zero percent chance that you won't find something to help you help your patrons, and help them immediately.
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