The effect of laughter yoga on the general health status, perceived stress and burnout levels of psychiatric nurses: a randomized controlled study
DISCOVER PSYCHOLOGY, cilt.6, sa.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 6 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s44202-026-00725-4
- Dergi Adı: DISCOVER PSYCHOLOGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
Aim To evaluate the effect of laughter yoga on psychiatric nurses' general mental health, perceived stress, and burnout levels. Methods This randomized controlled study was conducted with nurses working in psychiatric clinics. The sample consisted of 70 nurses, with 35 randomly assigned to the experimental group and 35 to the control group. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire. Pre-test measurements were obtained from both groups. The experimental group participated in an eight-session laughter yoga intervention, after which post-test measurements were collected from both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results Following the intervention, significant group & times; time interaction effects were found for burnout, F(1,68) = 189.17, p < 0.001, eta p & sup2; = 0.736; perceived stress, F(1,68) = 251.56, p < 0.001, eta p & sup2; = 0.787; and general mental health, F(1,68) = 222.31, p < 0.001, eta p & sup2; = 0.766. Post-test scores favored the experimental group for burnout (M = 17.20 +/- 7.60 vs. 29.43 +/- 11.83; Cohen's d = 1.23), perceived stress (M = 7.37 +/- 3.47 vs. 18.60 +/- 4.98; Cohen's d = 2.62), and general mental health (M = 0.11 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.74 +/- 0.37; Cohen's d = 2.29). Conclusion The findings indicate that laughter yoga may improve general mental health and reduce perceived stress and burnout among psychiatric nurses.