Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2012 Dec;18(4):248-256. 10.4069/kjwhn.2012.18.4.248.

An Effect of Optimism, Self-esteem and Depression on Laughter Therapy of Menopausal Women

• Cha MY
• Na YK
• Hong HS

• KMID: 2308263
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2012.18.4.248

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examines the difference of optimism, self-esteem and depression to verify an effect of laughter therapy program for menopausal women.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group pre / post-test design was used. The participants (n=57) were 28 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The data were collected in December of 2011. The experimental group participated in laughter therapy for 30 min per session, five times a week for the period of 2 weeks. The questionnaires were used to measure pre / post-test optimism, self-esteem, and depression of menopausal women.
RESULTS
The results showed that laughter therapy was effective in increasing optimism (p=.020) and self-esteem (p<.001). And the depression of menopausal women decreased (p=.003).
CONCLUSION
The result of the study indicates that laughter therapy for menopausal women may be an effective nursing intervention to improve optimism, self-esteem and depression of menopausal women.

Keyword

Laughter therapy; Optimism; Self-esteem; Depression; Menopause

MeSH Terms

Depression
Female
Humans
Laughter
Laughter Therapy
Menopause
Surveys and Questionnaires

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