Effect of Laughter Therapy on Self Concept Among Physically Disabled Adolescents

Abstract

Disability is rapidly increasing in society day by day. It is very essential to find some sustainable solutions to their problems from childhood. This research focuses on the psychological problems of physically disabled adolescents. Self-concept is an important psychological factor in survival in society. Laughter therapy is fastest growing alternative therapy in the world. Effect of laughter therapy on mental, physical and social state of human being was evaluated by many researchers. In this research, researcher concentrated on the self concept of physically disabled adolescents.  The aim of the current study was to study the impact of laughter therapy on self-concept among physically disabled adolescents. This was a control experimental pre-post study. A sample of 60 males and females is taken for this study and their age range was 13-19 years. For this study self-concept inventory scale by Sarswat was used.  Mean, S.D., independent, and paired sample t-tests were used for the analysis of collected data. Researcher focused on physical, social, temperamental, educational, moral and intellectual self concept of disabled adolescents. Results showed that laughter therapy intervention significantly affects post-test scores of self-concept of physically disabled adolescents. In the conclusion, the researcher concludes that laughter therapy intervention is very useful for physically disabled adolescents to increase their self concept.