Concerns about children and young people’s wellbeing are on the rise, prompting interest in self-directed interventions, such as poetry writing. However, little research has explored how children and young people themselves perceive the impact of poetry on their wellbeing. This study analysed 458 responses from our Children, Young People and Poetry in 2024 survey to investigate children and young people’s perspectives on this relationship. Using thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: poetry as an enjoyable hobby, as a means of self-expression and as an interactive and validating process.
This report is based on a dissertation written by Elena Chamberlain and supervised by Dr Richard Hamshaw as part of a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology degree at the University of Bath, using data collected by the National Literacy Trust in 2024.
Key findings:
Findings from this study highlight three ways in which children and young people perceived poetry as supporting emotional wellbeing:
- Firstly, it was described as an enjoyable and self-directed activity that offered a sense of relief from stress. While not a solution to the underlying problems, poetry was seen to offer comfort and a temporary emotional release.
- Secondly, poetry was valued for its capacity to support self-expression and personal agency. The freedom to choose how and what to write allowed young people to explore their feelings in a way that felt safe and empowering.
- Thirdly, poetry was understood as both a reflective and social practice. For some, writing privately helped them make sense of their experiences. For others, sharing their work fostered a sense of connection, empathy and emotional validation.
Taken together, these findings suggest that poetry writing can be a meaningful way to support wellbeing when it is offered in a context that fosters creativity, self-expression, reflection and choice. Future research should continue to explore how children and young people engage with poetry, as well as other creative practices, to enhance their wellbeing.