# How Do Educational Settings Influence College Students’ Reading Behavior? An Empirical Study of China’s Top Universities

## TL;DR

This study explores how university environments and personal factors influence college students' reading habits in China.

## Contribution

The study introduces an ecological systems theory framework to analyze reading behavior in top Chinese universities.

## Key findings

- Individual and environmental factors significantly impact college students' reading engagement.
- University policies and resources mediate the development of students' reading proficiency.
- Digital media use correlates with declining deep reading abilities among students.

## Abstract

The rapid rise of digital media and the accelerated pace of modern life have triggered a “reading crisis” among college students in China, which is characterized by declining deep reading abilities and increasing reliance on fragmented digital content. Understanding the multifaceted factors influencing student reading behavior is crucial for improving educational outcomes and fostering lifelong learning skills. This study examines these factors in China’s top universities using an ecological systems theory framework, which considers how individual attributes (micro), university environment (mezzo), and broader social contexts (macro) interact to shape reading behavior. This study analyzed a logistic regression model based on 1667 samples from 19 top universities in China, followed by cross-analysis using contingency tables. The findings highlight the significant impact of both individual and environmental factors on reading engagement and reveal the mediating role of university policies and resources in fostering students’ reading proficiency.