Young adult reading motivation: outcomes of an exploratory research
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7347/EdL-01-2025-01Abstract
The contribution delves into the theme of reading motivation among young adults. National sector-specific research has long shown that a decline in engagement with reading practices is particularly evident at the end of upper secondary education. In Italy, readers are few and concentrated within specific age groups. The aim of the research was to explore what young adults understand by “reading motivation” in order to identify strategies and practices that can support lifelong reading habits and the pleasure of reading. The study involved students from upper secondary schools and university students enrolled in the XXX, coming from various degree programs. The research is exploratory in nature and was based on a non-probabilistic convenience sample. A total of 1,371 individuals participated. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that investigated reading habits and the meaning attributed to the concept of reading motivation. Data analysis was conducted through a bottom-up thematic analysis, which enabled the development of a multidimensional categorical model of reading motivation.
The outcomes of the study aim to contribute to the scientific debate on teaching strategies and best practices that can positively support the development of informed readers who can maintain their interest in and enjoyment of reading over time.
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