Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Laughter Psychotherapy: An Adjunct to Clinical Management of Geriatric Depression among Rural Community Dwellers in Oyo State, South West, Nigeria

Olabisi-Modupe O

Like every other continent in the world, Africa has witnessed tremendous increase in incidence and reports of
depression. Depressive symptoms in older adults clinically referred to as geriatric depression has been a global
phenomenon complicating the mental health stability and general well-being in late life. Studies on the psychological
management of the disorder in Nigeria have variously adopted therapies that exert the cognitive, sensory and motor
abilities of the elderly thereby generating very minimal result. The study adopted a pre-test, post-test, control group
quasi experimental design. A total of sixty-four (64) participants were purposively selected from two randomly selected
local government areas in Ibadan. Participants were further randomly assigned into an experimental group-Laughter
Therapy Group (32) and the Control Group (32). Data was subjected to Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and
Sceffe post-hoc analysis. There was a significant main effect of treatment on geriatric depression (F=18.583, p<.05, η2=
0.328). Laughter therapy (x∼=17.60) effectively managed geriatric depression in comparison with the control group
(x∼=7.517). There was a significant man effect of Health Locus of Control (HLoC) on geriatric depression (F=8.045,
p<.05, η2=0.297). Participants with internal HLoC had the highest post mean score (16.80) followed by those with
powerful others HLoC (11.62) and chance HLoC (4.95), while personality trait had none. The study ascertained
the effective adaptation of laughter therapy as an adjunct in the clinical management of geriatric depression of rural
community dwelling older adults, thereby adding to existing literature on laughter therapy for future research. This
contribution is advancement to geriatric depression study and management in Nigeria. Findings from the study can
be adopted for use in both community and also clinical studies and management of depression.

Published Date: 2020-10-14; Received Date: 2020-08-27