The Effect of Laughter Therapy on Marital Adjustment, Life Satisfaction and Maternal Attachment Level in Mothers

The Effect of Laughter Therapy Given to Mothers in the Postpartum Period on Marital Adjustment, Life Satisfaction and Maternal Bonding Levels in Mothers; A Randomized Controlled Trial

The postnatal period is a fragile period with physical and psychological changes as well as hormonal changes in the mother. Mind-body based complementary practices such as yoga, meditation, relaxation exercises can be used to improve well-being and facilitate adaptation to the changes experienced during this period. Among these practices, laughter yoga is new, simple, cost-effective, non-invasive, widely available online and easily applicable/accessible. In studies, individuals in different populations from children to the elderly have proven that laughter therapy interventions cause improvement in mood and life satisfaction. Looking at the literature, studies on laughter therapy in Turkey are limited and no study has been found on this subject. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of laughter therapy given to mothers in the postnatal period on partner adjustment, life satisfaction and maternal attachment level in mothers. It is thought that this study will make a very important contribution to the literature.

The postnatal period is a fragile period with physical and psychological changes as well as hormonal changes in the mother. In the transition to parenthood in the postnatal period, expectant parents experience changes that have important effects on the couple's relationship, the baby-parent relationship and the development of the baby. The positive relationship and harmony of the spouses are important in raising a child. Maternal attachment starts in the prenatal period and reaches the highest level in the postnatal period. It is known that inadequate maternal attachment to the baby poses a threat to the healthy development and well-being of the baby. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the psycho-social welfare of the mother in the postnatal period, to evaluate the level of mother-infant attachment and to make effective midwifery interventions.

Studies in the literature have documented the positive role of laughter in improving quality of life. In addition, it was determined that laughter therapy intervention during pregnancy increased the mental well-being of pregnant women and positively affected prenatal attachment levels. Laughter therapy can be used for both preventive and therapeutic purposes. Poor mental health of the mother poses a danger to the baby and the mother. Studies on laughter therapy are limited in Turkey. In order to increase evidence-based data, there is a need to investigate the potential effectiveness of laughter therapy interventions in terms of mothers' health. It is thought that this study will make a very important contribution to the literature.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least primary school graduate
• Over 18 years of age
• Volunteer to participate in the research
• Heterosexual
• With a spouse or partner
• At term
• With a single, healthy baby
• Have not had any intra-abdominal surgery
• With a 1-12 month postpartum baby
• Women who can use the Zoom program

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those who do not speak Turkish,
• Those with hearing and visual impairments,
• Those with mental disabilities,
• Those diagnosed with known psychiatric diseases,
• Mothers of babies with disabilities and chronic health problems
• Women with physical illnesses that prevent them from participating in Laughter Yoga sessions (breathing difficulties, persistent cough, vertigo, severe heart disease, hemorrhoids, any type of hernia such as neck, waist or inguinal hernia, severe back pain, urinary incontinence, epilepsy, etc.)
• Women who develop an acute health problem for themselves or their babies, who have had their mothers or babies suddenly hospitalized, who have lost their babies, who have separated from their spouses or partners, who do not attend laughter therapy sessions regularly, and who cannot be reached after the application will be excluded from the study.