Laughter and wellness as perceived by older women: grounded theory
| dc.contributor.author | Huntley, Mary | |
| dc.contributor.committeeChair | Bush, Helen | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Drapo, Peggy | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Jennings, Glen | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Anema, Marion | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Nieswiadomy, Rose | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-04-25T17:42:03Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-04-25T17:42:03Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1988-12 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The grounded theory study had two purposes: (a) to explore older women's views of laughter and wellness and (b) to generate a framework and compare it to the proposed model of laughter and wellness. Interviews were conducted with 12 retired university faculty women, median age of 73, reporting to be well. Data were analyzed by constant comparative analysis. Definitions of laughter and wellness were derived. Laughter in human beings is a natural, spontaneous reflex of physical and audible expressions induced by pleasant humor, surprise, or enjoyment activating the good and positive feelings of happiness and amusement resulting in relief, contentment, relaxation, fun, sharing, and/or friendliness. Wellness is a chosen, balanced state of mind, body, and spirit in which the person is able to cope with adverse stimuli, is able to experience feelings of security and contentment, and expresses a positive and hopeful attitude about life--enjoyable unity. From further analysis a core category emerged, receptivity. Major categories were: quotidian (everyday) life, interactions with pleasant humor stimuli, and enjoyable unity (wellness). Three sub-categories explained the multidimensions of laughter: untimely occasions for laughter suggested the conditions when laughter may be less beneficial; laughter-wellness continua identified variable contexts in which laughter takes place; laughter benefits listed positive consequences of laughing. The framework statement was: receptivity to interaction with pleasant humor stimuli in quotidian life creates smiling, possibly laughter, and enjoyable unity. When compared with the proposed model there were similarities in the definitions of laughter, but differences in the definitions of wellness. Both the model and framework supported a linkage between laughter and wellness. Results of the study indicated that laughing is more likely to contribute to wellness when the person can be receptive to humor stimuli, such as during convalescence and existing wellness. The use of humor and laughter to promote healing during illness was unacceptable. However, a healthcare giver who incorporates smiling and pleasantness in caring for the ill person was viewed as beneficial. The study provided some guidelines in determining where to focus research to test the framework generated. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/11274/13616 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.subject | Laughter and wellness | |
| dc.subject | Older women | |
| dc.subject | Physical and audible expressions | |
| dc.title | Laughter and wellness as perceived by older women: grounded theory | en_US |
| dc.type | Dissertation | en_US |
| thesis.degree.college | College of Nursing | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Nursing | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas Woman's University | en_US |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | en_US |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy | en_US |