A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LAUGHTER THERAPY ON STRESS AMONG STAFF NURSES WORKING WITH CANCER PATIENTS IN A SELECTED CANCER HOSPITAL AT JAIPUR.

Author Name: 1. Jishu George, 2.Dr. Abdul Latif

Volume/Issue: 04/11

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/05.2024-66863338/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Ph.D., Scholar, JJT University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India.
2. Ph.D., Supervisor, JJT University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India.

ABSTRACT

Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand, whether it’s caused by or results in, pleasant or unpleasant conditions. A study done by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, found that the Indian Workers in the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Industries reported the maximum rise in stress. Research's suggests that the simple act of laughing can be a powerful form of complementary medicine to reduce stress. Objectives of the study: 1. To assess the level of stress among the staff nurses working with cancer patients. 2. To assess the effectiveness of laughter therapy on level of stress among staff nurses working with cancer patients. 3. To associate the level of stress with selected socio demographic variables such as age, gender, religion, marital status, education, year of experience as a nurse, year of experience in oncology, number of death witnessed and measures adopted to reduce stress. Conceptual frame work: The conceptual framework of the study is based on Betty Neumann’s Health Care System Model and it has provided a comprehensive framework for achieving the objectives of the study. Methods :The research design selected for this study was Quasi-Experimental Non Equalized Control Group Design (two group pre-test post-test).Non probability convenient sampling technique was adopted to select 60 staff nurses working with cancer patients( 30 experimental group,30 control group). The samples were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The technique used to collect demographic variables was self administered questionnaire. Perceived Stress Scale for Oncology Nurses was used to assess the effectiveness of laughter therapy on stress level. Results and Interpretation : Study reveals that, in experimental group the mean post-test level of stress score (28.33%) was lower than the mean pre-test score (40.46%) and the calculated t-value (15.41) was greater than the table value (2.045) in experimental group. In control group the mean post-test level of stress score (34.50%) was slightly greater than the mean pre- test score (34.23%) and the calculated t-value (1.682) was less than the table value (2.045) at 0.05 level of significance. Hence research hypothesis H2 is accepted, i.e. laughter therapy is effective on level of stress among staff nurses working with cancer patients. Conclusion: The study results revealed that laughter therapy is effective on level of stress among staff nurses working with cancer patients..

Key words: Effectiveness, laughter therapy, stress and staff nurses.