THE EFFECT OF HUMOR ON SECRETORY IMMUNOGLOBULIN A LEVELS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

Abstract

Although research on adult subjects has demonstrated a positive correlation between humor and increased concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A, the literature has not addressed whether humor might have a similar effect on children. Fifth grade student volunteers (n= 190) at elementary schools in Hamadan were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. The study compared secretory immunoglobulin A levels collected before and after the treatment group subjects (n=105) participated in a humorous program and the control group sub¬jects (n-85) participated in an educational non-humorous presentation. Concen¬trations of immunoglobulin A were increased in those who observed a humorous presentation.