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http://dx.doi.org/10.15434/kssh.2015.28.2.111

The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Happiness, Self-esteem, and School Life Adaptation  

Seo, Hye-Young (Department of Alternative Medicine, Graduate School, Kyonggi University and Baekseok middle school)
Oh, Ja-Young (College of Nursing, Ajou University)
Lee, Do-Young (Department of Nursing, Kyungbok University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Society of School Health / v.28, no.2, 2015 , pp. 111-119 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of laughter therapy programs on middle school students' happiness, self-esteem and school life adaptation. Methods: In total, 60 students (Experimental group= 30. Control group=30) were recruited to answer a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of questions about general characteristics, happiness, self-esteem and school life adaptation. The experimental group participated in a 45-minute laughter therapy program once a week for eight weeks, while the control group did not. Results: The scores of happiness(t=-4.68, p<.001), self-esteem(t=-3.38, p=.001), and school life adaptation(t=-3.76, p<.001) in the experimental group got significantly higher than the control group. Conclusion: Based on this study results, laughter therapy programs should be applied to improve happiness, self-esteem, and school life adaptation of middle school students.
Keywords
Laughter therapy; Happiness; Self-esteem; School life adaptation; Middle school students;
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