The Effects of Laughter Therapy for the Relief of Employment-Stress in Korean Student Nurses by Assessing Psychological Stress Salivary Cortisol and Subjective Happiness

Abstract

Korean student nurses may be exposed to stress caused by their future employment (employment stress). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Laughter Program on psychological stress, by assessing salivary cortisol and the subjective happiness of student nurses in order to relieve employment stress. Methods: A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent, control-group, and pre-test/ post-test was conducted in 4 th year student nurses (n = 48) from 2 universities in Korea at a time when participants' final exams and job searches were simultaneously occurring. Physiological stress (salivary cortisol), and psychological stress measured using modified Cornell Medical Index questionnaire and the Subjective Happiness Scale were used to determine the effects of the program. Results: The results of the study showed that the Laughter Program was effective in relieving employment stress and increasing the subjective well-being of student nurses. Psychological stress (p < 0.001), salivary cortisol levels (p < 0.001), and subjective happiness (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly improved after the intervention compared with before the Laughter Program. Conclusion: This study is an effective evidence-based intervention to reduce student nurses employment stress and improve subjective happiness.

Effect of laughter yoga on mental symptoms and salivary cortisol levels in first‐year nursing students: A randomized controlled trial

“…Studies have shown that laughter yoga can help to significantly decrease cortisol, which is a biological marker of stress. In a study conducted with nursing students in Korea, it was found that laughter yoga significantly reduced salivary cortisol in the intervention group (Lee & Lee, 2020). In a study by Chang et al (2013) on seventh‐grade adolescents in Thailand, they found that laughter yoga provides a significant decrease in cortisol levels.…”

“…Studies have evaluated the effect of laughter yoga on salivary cortisol (Fujısawa et al, 2018; Lee & Lee, 2020; Pandey et al, 2016) and on mental symptoms such as depression and anxiety (Dolgoff‐Kaspar et al, 2012; Ghodsbin et al, 2014; Memarian et al, 2017; Yazdani et al, 2014). Studies evaluating the effects of laughter yoga on two variables together are needed in the literature rather than studies evaluating the effects of laughter yoga on both mental symptoms and salivary cortisol separately.…”

Physical relaxation for occupational stress in healthcare workers: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…33 of these records were filtered, with the most common reason being the lack of a nonintervention control group or other physical relaxation comparison group (15 studies). 28,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] Furthermore, seven studies were excluded due to non-randomized or quasi-randomized designs, 32,[58][59][60][61][62][63] eight for inadequate data, [64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] and three due to interventions that included vigorous aerobic or weight training exercise. [72][73][74] Finally, 15 studies that met our inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis (Figure 1 and Table 1).…”

The effect of laughter therapy on nursing students' anxiety, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Randomized controlled study

“…Laughter therapy effectively relaxes the muscles, makes you feel many emotions simultaneously, transforms negative emotions into positive ones, and significantly reduces depression and anxiety [16] , [17] . Studies have shown that laughter therapy effectively reduces the anxiety and stress levels of nursing students, improves sleep disorders, improves social functions, reduces work stress, and improves subjective well-being levels [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] . Studies have shown that it increases psychological well-being in adults [22] and enhances life satisfaction and loneliness levels by improving mood in adults [23] .…”