Impact of Group-Based Laughter Yoga on Perceived Stress and Subjective Happiness Among Middle-Aged Men

Aim of the Study: Middle-aged males in Pakistan face substantial occupational and socioeconomic stress that adversely affects their psychological health. This underscores the need for accessible, non-pharmacological community interventions. The study examined the effectiveness of eight-week group-based Laughter Yoga (LY) intervention in reducing perceived stress and improving overall happiness among middle-aged males. Methodology: The study employed a quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. Forty middle-aged males were engaged through convenience sampling at Nasir Park, Lahore. Following eligibility screening and attrition, data from 30 participants were included in the final analysis. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ-29) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Results: Results demonstrated a significant reduction in perceived stress (Z = -4.705, p < .001, r = .86) and a significant increase in overall happiness (Z = -4.670, p < .001, r = .85) after the intervention. Baseline analysis showed a significant demographic difference in overall happiness based on marital status (p = .035), with married males reporting the highest happiness levels. However, no significant demographic differences were observed following the intervention. Conclusion: Laughter Yoga is a promising community-based intervention for reducing perceived stress and enhancing psychosocial well-being among middle-aged males. To promote sustainable psychological resilience, municipal authorities and public institutions should proactively incorporate structured LY sessions in community green spaces and organizational wellness programs.