Self-concept in poor readers: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Individuals with poor reading ability are at greater risk of educational and occupational difficulties. In addition to this, these individuals are also at greater risk of poor health outcomes, particularly mental health. At least some of this association may be underpinned by poor self-concept; however, the evidence for this relationship is mixed. In this systematic review protocol, we outline an approach to adjudicate between three reasons for these mixed results: (1) poor reading is more closely associated with some types of self-concept than others; (2) low self-concept is more closely associated with some types of poor reading than others; and (3) low self-concept is not associated with poor reading per se, but is associated with co-morbid problems with language or attention. The protocol proposes a review (based on PRSIMA-P guidelines) to use the existing literature to explore the evidence for these possibilities to better understand the association between poor reading and low self-concept.