This review of literature on stress and reading disabilities covers some affective research and theoretical footings. The research is considered in terms of historical research foundations (up to 1979) and recent research findings (1979-1989). The literature relates emotional stress either as cause, effect, or a concomitant aspect of reading disabilities and examines the school and the home as two major arenas of stressors for children. Literature was reviewed on reading disability, stress, school stressors, family stressors, stress and reading problems, assessment of stress in reading, and stress remediation. Sixty references are attached. (Author/MG)