Biblioterapia aplicada no contexto online e digital: análise da produção científica na base de dados Scopus.

Abstract

This study discusses bibliotherapy, exploring its evolution from historical and conceptual aspects to online and digital modalities, which are the main focus of the research. The general objective is to characterize the scientific production related to digital and online bibliotherapy, as well as to analyze the role of libraries and librarians in the implementation of these modalities. The specific objectives are to analyze the temporal evolution of scientific production on bibliotherapy in these modalities; to identify the most prolific authors, institutions, and countries in the field; to identify the main health conditions addressed through these practices; to characterize the most influential authors and documents in the domain; and to reflect on the role of libraries and librarians in the implementation of digital and online bibliotherapy programs. This is a descriptive study with both quantitative and qualitative approaches, using the Scopus database to identify and analyze the relevant scientific literature. A total of 199 records were retrieved and analyzed based on the following productivity indicators and relational analyses: productivity of authors, institutions, and countries; author cocitation networks; bibliographic coupling networks of documents; and keyword cooccurrence networks. Among the results, a significant increase in scientific production is observed from 2015 onward, with a peak in 2023. The most prolific authors have between seven and ten publications on the topic. Linköping University and the Karolinska Institute, both in Sweden, were identified as the most productive institutions. It was found that publications on the subject mainly originate from the fields of Medicine and Psychology, with a lack of academic works in the field of Library and Information Science. Anxiety and depression are among the most commonly treated health conditions through bibliotherapy. Among the most influential documents are studies that combine bibliotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of panic disorder in virtual environments. Although still scarcely represented in the retrieved literature, some publications highlight the fundamental role of librarians in online and digital bibliotherapy, acting as information mediators, advisors, and bibliotherapeutic leaders. Their participation requires specific training to ensure ethical and effective practices in e-bibliotherapy. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the strengthening of networks between libraries and mental health services is also emphasized. It is concluded that bibliotherapy, in its online and digital forms, constitutes an expanding field and an opportunity for greater librarian involvement— professionals who are well-qualified to facilitate access to resources and contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the therapeutic process through reading.