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Revista Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública
Print version ISSN 0120-386X
Abstract
SANTOS M, Pablo; MORO G, Lourdes and JENARO R, Cristina. Conducting a laughter therapy workshop with a group of elderly people. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2018, vol.36, n.1, pp.17-26. ISSN 0120-386X. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.rfnsp.v36n1a03.
Introduction:
Elderly people constitute an age group that requires special care. With this aim in mind, it has become necessary to implement activities to promote active aging and psychosocial wellbeing.
Objective:
This procedure researches the benefits of taking part in a laughter therapy workshop for an elderly group of people based on their experience.
Methodology:
This is a qualitative study conducted via the semi-structured interviewing of 57 non-institutionalized elderly people, of ages ranging from 60 to 88, members of three day centers for the elderly from the Salamanca Social Services Territorial Management Department (Junta de Castilla y León). The laughter therapy workshop was conducted in four 3-hour weekly sessions.
Results:
The analysis of the contents of the participants' discourses revealed categories related to personal growth, state of mind or mood improvement, laughter therapy assessment considering it a physical and a recreational activity, motivation enhancement and the strengthening of interpersonal relations.
Conclusions:
Results show the positive effects of the laughter therapy workshops on elderly people's psychological and subjective well-being.
Keywords : Elderly people; laughter therapy; Humor; state of mind or mood; quality of life.