A pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of laughter therapy on stress among bus drivers in selected areas of Pune City

Abstract

Laughter therapy also known as humor therapy has gain recognition as a complementary approach to improving mental and physical health. This therapeutic approach leverages the benefits of laughter to enhance mood, reduce stress and promote overall wellbeing. Studies have shown that laughter therapy can have a positive impact on various health outcomes. Given the growing evidence supporting the benefits of laughter therapy, it is essential to explore its effectiveness in various populations, including those with high stress occupations, such as bus drivers. Bus drivers often experience high levels of stress which can impact their physical and mental health. The Present study title is To assess the effectiveness of laughter therapy on stress among bus drivers in selected areas of Pune city Material and method: The research design used in this study was Non- Equivalent Pre-test Post-test design in which the sample size consists of 50 bus drivers from selected bus depots of Pune city. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. The Inclusion criteria includes bus drivers who can read, write English or Marathi, Male driver will be included in the study and bus driver who are illiterate are also be included in the study and the exclusion criteria include those who have already exposed to this type of therapy. Tool used for the study was Perceived stress scale. Results: Majority 40% of bus drivers were of age range between25-40,84%weremale,64% were from Hindu religion, among them all 50 samples were 60% married and overall, 40% were not having formal education. Before the intervention of laughter therapy in bus drivers. 15 % has the low stress, 30% of them had moderate stress level and5%had severe stress. The overall mean was 16.6 and the standard deviation was10.28 and the level of stress among bus drivers after the intervention of laughter therapy 97 % were in low stress level 6% were in moderate stress level. In which the overall mean33.06+-2.29.And the difference between the pre and post intervention level of Stress among bus drivers was calculated by applying the paired test and the value was2.021 and the t critical value was 24.78 with p value of 0.00001 therefore it was found to be significant and there were also found significant association in gender, religion, marital status, education. Conclusion: This indicates that laughter therapy helped in reducing the level of stress among bus drivers.