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

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.