The aim of this work is to investigate whether literature has effect on the personality development of individuals or not. This works aims to provide answers to the following research questions: "Does literature have effect on individuals’ general harmony level, their social cohesion levels, personal harmony level, self-actualization level, emotional stability level, neurotic tendencies, psychotic symptoms, family relations, social relations, compliance level of social norms and antisocial tendencies? This research was carried out on the students studying in secondary schools located in KırÅŸehir City, Turkey during 2009 to 2010 academic years. Disproportionate cluster sampling was used to take the sample from 12 different schools. 14 students were randomly selected from each school; a total of 168 students participated in the survey. "Hacettepe Personality Inventory" published by Özgüven and "Personal Information Form" were used as measurement materials. According to the research findings, literature does not have a significant influence on the general, social and personal harmony of individuals, their self-actualization, emotional stability and harmony levels of social norms, neurotic and anti-social tendencies, psychotic symptoms and family relationships; however, literature has a significant influence on their social relations.

 

Key words: Harmony, adolescence self-actualization, emotional stability, neurotic tendencies, psychotic

symptoms, Hacettepe Personality Inventory.