Effectiveness of Reading Groups for Senior Non-readers : A Comparative Study of Expert-led and Self-managed Groups

This study examined the impact of reading group participation on transforming non-readers into active readers. The participants were 54 senior non-readers aged 50 and above, divided into two groups: an expert-led reading group (experimental group) and a self-managed reading group (control group). The analysis produced five key findings. First, participation in both groups significantly increased reading frequency, with improvements sustained at the two-month follow-up. Second, both groups demonstrated enhanced perceptions of reading. The expert-led group initially scored higher, but the control group surpassed them at follow-up. Third, reading behavior improved in both groups, with the expert-led group achieving substantially greater gains. Fourth, although both groups reported high levels of satisfaction, the expert-led group expressed slightly higher satisfaction. Fifth, the expert-led group showed a more immediate increase in reading engagement. However, the two groups followed different developmental trajectories: the expert-led group started with a strong initial boost that later stabilized, while the self-managed group showed steady, gradual improvement over time. These findings suggest that initiating reading interventions with expert-led groups, followed by a transition to self-managed formats, may be the most effective strategy for fostering sustained reading habits among senior non-readers.