A quasi- experimental study to assess the effectiveness of laughing on stress reduction among g.n.m 1st year students of selected nursing institutes of District Sangrur, Punjab, 2015

Background: Stress is any situation in which a non-specific demand requires an individual to respond or take action. Stress can lead to negative or counterproductive feelings or threaten emotional well being. Objectives of the study were • To assess the level of stress among G.N.M 1st year students. • To administer laughing among G.N.M 1st year students. • To assess the level of stress after the administration of laughing among G.N.M 1st year students. • To find out association between effectiveness of laughing on stress reduction among G.N.M 1st year students with their selected socio-demographic variables. Methods: Quasi-experimental (Non-randomized pre test-post test control group) design was selected for the study; the study was conducted in selected nursing institutes of district Sangrur, Punjab. Sixty G.N.M 1st year students through convenient sampling technique who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data was collected by using Stress Scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: In experimental group post test mean score of stress was 57.37 that was less than the pre test mean score of stress that was 74.23 so it was concluded from study results that laughing was effective to reduce stress among G.N.M 1st year students. There was no significant association between effects of laughing on stress among G.N.M 1st year students with their selected socio-demographic variables. Interpretation: The result shows that there was significant difference between the pre test mean score of stress and post test mean score of stress in experimental among G.N.M 1st year students after the administration of laughing. Conclusion: The study shows that there was significant decrease in the level of stress among G.N.M 1st year students after the administration of laughing; hence laughing is effective in the reduction of stress.