Attitudes Toward Leisure Reading: An Analysis of the Role of Sociological Factors

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22059/jlib.2026.400023.1789

Abstract

Objective: Objective: Leisure reading is one of the most vital cultural activities, playing a central role in individuals’ intellectual, social, and cultural development. Understanding the factors that influence attitudes toward leisure reading, particularly in under-resourced regions, can provide valuable insights for effective cultural policymaking. This study aims to examine how cultural, social, and economic capital, as well as gender, relate to attitudes toward leisure reading among literate citizens aged 15 and above in the city of Khorramshahr, Iran.
Method: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design using a survey approach. The statistical population comprised all literate individuals over the age of 15 in Khorramshahr (N = 96,051). A multi-stage random sampling method, proportional to the population distribution across the city's zones, was used, resulting in the distribution of 406 questionnaires. Standardized and validated questionnaires were administered to measure four key constructs: Bourdieu’s dimensions of cultural capital, indicators of social capital, indicators of economic capital, and individuals’ attitudes toward leisure reading. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics (means, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression) were employed. Normality of the data was verified using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test.
Results: The results revealed a significant positive correlation between cultural capital and attitudes toward leisure reading (r = 0.148, p = 0.003), suggesting that greater cultural capital is associated with more favorable reading attitudes. Similarly, social capital (r = 0.159, p = 0.002) and economic capital (r = 0.259, p < 0.001) showed significant positive correlations with reading attitudes. Gender also exhibited a statistically significant relationship with attitudes toward reading. The multiple correlation coefficient (R = 0.323) indicated a moderate level of association between the combined independent variables and the dependent variable. The coefficient of determination (R² = 0.104) showed that approximately 10% of the variance in attitudes toward leisure reading could be explained by the combination of the four sociological variables. The adjusted R² (0.097) confirmed the model’s adequacy considering the sample size.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that improving attitudes toward leisure reading requires strategic attention to key sociological variables. In contexts such as Khorramshahr, where unique social, cultural, and economic conditions prevail, strengthening these forms of capital can serve as a foundation for promoting a culture of reading. Effective cultural policy must be tailored to the socio-economic realities of the population and consider gender-related differences in reading preferences. Ultimately, the balanced development of cultural, social, and economic capital can act as a strategic mechanism to enhance public attitudes toward reading and integrate it more deeply into the daily lives of citizens.

Keywords

References

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Academic Librarianship and Information Research
Volume 59, Issue 4
December 2025
Pages 1-20

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