Improving self‐esteem and reading

Summary

A sample of 374 eight‐year‐old retarded readers from 29 schools was allocated to four different treatments:

1. Distar only;

2. Distar plus counselling;

3. Distar plus drama;

4. no special treatment.

At the end of 20 weeks the therapeutic treatments produced higher gains in reading and in self‐esteem when contrasted with the non‐therapeutic treatments. The differences between treatments are seen to depend on the initial level of self‐esteem. The results are discussed in relation to their practical significance.