笑與健康研究的回顧：中西方觀點

Cultural Perspectives on Laughter and Health

張珏(Chueh Chang) ； 徐欣萍(Hsin-Ping Hsu)

《台灣公共衛生雜誌》 27卷4期 (2008/08) Pp. 282-291

https://doi.org/10.6288/TJPH2008-27-04-02

摘要

本文以近年來中西方針對「笑」所進行的相關研究與探討觀點進行簡要回顧：首先針對「笑」的定義與種類進行說明，其次以國內外針對笑與健康的研究進行探討，同時再統整以往研究的發現與缺失，以提供未來對此議題感興趣的研究者之參考。國外研究發現：「笑」對人體的免疫功能、疼痛忍受度、內分泌、神經系統等諸多重要生理指標都能產生正向改變，認為「笑」有益於健康；然而在傳統的中醫學觀點卻認為「笑」會損精耗氣，自古醫書多認為「笑」有礙養生，直到二十世紀初才有醫者對「笑」採取較正向的評價，但依然提醒民眾應要量力而為，不可過度。由國語辭典中也反映出我國對「笑」的定義採取較廣義的討論，不若西方僅以正向的角度看待，而是包含有動作與情緒間的關係，以及正負向並存的意涵，中西方截然不同的觀點論述與發現，對於未來有興趣探討笑與健康的研究者，本文應能提供多元層面的思考與建議，此外「笑」與「正向心理健康」的開展與研究也可以相呼應。

關鍵字

笑 ； 健康 ； 正向心理健康

並列摘要

A review was conducted of recent scientific research results, both international and regional, on the relationship between laughter and health. The findings revealed conceptual differences due to variations in cultural traditions. The Western studies indicated that laughter could strengthen the immune system, enhance metabolic functions, reduce stress, and increase tolerance for pain. In contrast, studies based on traditional Chinese medicine indicated that laughter could be detrimental to physical and mental balance. These differences are also found in the definitions of ”laughter” in the different cultures. In the West, the definition of laughter is entirely positive. The Chinese definition, however, refers to both positive and negative relationships between emotion and action. It was not until the 20th century that the Taiwanese began to have more positive attitudes toward laughter, although still with a reminder to not ”overdo it.” More research is needed on these drastically different opinions about laughter to shed light on the influence of cultural perspectives. The relationship between laughter and mental health should be further explored.

並列關鍵字

laughter ； health ； positive mental health

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