Laughter Therapy as a Psychosocial Intervention for Empty Nest Syndrome Among Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Vollständiger Abstract

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Background: Empty nest syndrome may develop when grown children depart from their family residence and can be accompanied by loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress and reduced quality of life. Laughter therapy may provide a simple community-based psychosocial intervention for older adults experiencing this transition. Objective: To evaluate the effect of laughter therapy on empty nest syndrome and selected psychological outcomes among elderly population. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Twenty elderly participants aged 60-75 years were recruited through purposive sampling from selected community areas of Kottayam, Kerala. The study and comparison groups consisted of 10 participants each and were selected from two different Panchayats to minimize contamination between groups. Data were collected using the Empty Nest Syndrome Scale-Indian Form and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF. The study group received laughing therapy for 20 minutes per session, four days per week, for one month. Results: A notable decrease was seen in the study group in empty nest syndrome scores from 129.10±23.17 to 91.70±17.45 (p = 0.0003). Significant reductions were also observed in depression (p = 0.0131), anxiety (p = 0.0213), stress (p = 0.0004) and loneliness (p = 0.0056). Significant improvements were observed in psychological health and environment domains of quality of life. Posttest comparison showed significantly better outcomes in the study group for empty nest syndrome, depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, psychological health, social relationships and environment. Conclusion: Laughter therapy showed promising preliminary effects on empty nest syndrome and selected psychological outcomes among elderly population. The findings support further evaluation using a larger adequately powered sample.