Phonics is one way to help form autonomous readers. I found this list of research proven generalizations about reading. These come from Steven Krashen's website and there are 88 in total if you want to read the full list.
http://www.sdkrashen.com/handouts/88Gen ... index.html
BENEFITS OF READING (from correlational studies)
1. More reading > better reading
2. More reading > better writing
3. More reading > more writing (SY Lee)
4. more reading > read faster (Anderson, Fielding)
5. more reading > know more about literature (Stanovich)
6. more reading > know more social science (Stanovich)
7. more reading > more cultural literacy (Stanovich)
8. more reading > have more practical knowledge (Stanovich)
9. more bible reading > more knowledge of bible than "study" (Filback)
10. more reading > better grades in writing class (SY Lee)
11. more reading > better TOEFL performance (Constantino, SY Lee, KS Cho; Gradman & Hanania)
12. more reading > less writing apprehension (SY Lee)
13. more reading > less writer's block (SY Lee)
14. more reading > less memory loss (Rice)
15. more reading > more hobbies, involvement in the world (NEA)
...
There's a lot more on reading via Dr. Krashen's website
http://www.sdkrashen.com/