Options
Effectiveness of laughter therapies on students’ mental health: A meta-analytic review
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
ISSN
0306-9885
1469-3534
Citation
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 2025.
Type
Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Abstract
Laughter holds intrinsic value as an accessible component of therapies to address mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression. This meta-analysis examined the effects of laughter therapies on students' mental health by synthesising nine studies with 17 effect sizes, employing a robust variance estimation method. The findings revealed that laughter therapies or interventions had a significant medium effect on improving students' mental health (effect size Hedges' g = 0.774). Subgroup analyses further demonstrated varying effect sizes for laughter therapies that addressed students' stress levels, anxiety and depression, respectively. Moreover, moderator analyses found that the duration of the therapy was a significant moderator affecting outcomes, but types of laughter, type of practitioners and gender of participants were not significant moderators. This study enhances the understanding of laughter-based interventions and their effectiveness in supporting students' mental health and well-being. Implications for future research and practical applications in educational settings are briefly discussed.
Loading...
Availability at HKSYU Library
