Happiness & Aerobic Laughter Research

Research is built into every InHappiness program.

Each program includes careful measurement of results, with data being

added to an ever-expanding master database.

As we learn more more about how different people, teams and

organizations respond to programs, we improve our programs to more

effectively build world happiness.

Academic Research   

Students and organizations wishing to conduct

research into laughter-assisted happiness and

behavior change programs are invited to contact

us for support.

Where possible we provide access to our knowledge, and sponsor  programs and training to extend our knowledge and capabilities.

InHappiness Presentations and Publications

1. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M. Impact of an aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support program on 3,305 orphans and vulnerable children from AIDS in South Africa over a three month period. Abstract accepted for Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 2. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M, Wiebe-Randeree K, Du Toit E. Improving the quality of life and workplace productivity of 134 community health workers in South Africa with aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support programs over three and six month periods. Abstract accepted for Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 3. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M, Wiebe-Randeree K, Du Toit E. Can aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support programs Improve the quality of life and productivity of social workers? Results from 134 community health workers and 125 hospital health care workers in South Africa show promise. Abstract accepted for Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 4. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M, Wiebe-Randeree K, Du Toit E. Can aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support programs improve AIDS care delivery and adult and child patient outcomes? An analysis of results from 28 care groups comprising 479 caregivers caring for more than 10,000 adults and children across South Africa. Abstract accepted for Roundtable Discussion at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 5. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M. Impact of an aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support program on the mental wellbeing of 90 women providing home based care for orphans and vulnerable children from AIDS in a three month community based program in South Africa. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 6. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M, Wiebe-Randeree K, Du Toit E. Better workplace health and safety through improved mental wellbeing: The powerful impact of an aerobic laughter psychosocial support program on 604 healthcare workers across South Africa. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 7. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M, Du Toit E.  Improving the quality and productivity of home based healthcare provided by 134 women HIV health care workers in South Africa with aerobic laughter therapy psychosocial support programs over three and six month periods. Abstract accepted for poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA), USA 2012. 8. Gee B, Jaffer M, Matanda M. Happiness Intelligence: A Practical New Approach to Building Mental Fitness and Wellbeing. Abstract accepted for oral presentation under the European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP), Moscow 2012. 9. Gee B, Jaffer M, Matanda M. Healing with Happiness: A Powerful New Positive Psychology Group Program using Aerobic Laughter Therapy to Improve Mental Fitness and Wellbeing in Highly Stressed Groups. Abstract accepted for oral presentation under the European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP), Moscow 2012. 10. Gee B, Jaffer M, Matanda M, Wiese-Randeree K, Dutoit E. Enhancing the Quality and Quantity of Palliative and Hospital Care with Aerobic Laughter Therapy (ALT) based Psychosocial Support Programs. Abstract accepted for oral presentation under the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) Conference, Prague 2012. 11. Gee B, Jaffer M, Matanda M, Wiese-Randeree K, Dutoit E. Caring for the Carers: Reducing Stress, Depression and Burnout of Nurses and Palliative Caregivers with Aerobic Laughter Therapy based Psychosocial Support Programs. Abstract accepted for oral presentation under the International Society for Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) Conference, Prague 2012. 12. Gee B, Jaffer M, Matanda M. Healing with Happiness. Book published by Happiness University Press, 2011. Print version & revised Kindle version available on Amazon May 2013. 13. Jaffer M, Matanda M, Gee B. Impact of Depression on HIV Progression. Abstract accepted under the South African AIDS Conference (SA AIDS), South Africa, 2011. 14. Jaffer M, Matanda M, Gee B. Impact of Happiness on Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Abstract accepted under the South African AIDS Conference (SA AIDS), South Africa, 2011. 15. Jaffer M, Matanda M, Gee B. Aerobic Laughter Therapy Increases Care Worker Happiness, Emotional Intelligence and Wellbeing. Abstract accepted under the South African AIDS Conference (SA AIDS), South Africa, 2011. 16. Jaffer M, Matanda M, Gee B. Happiness, Stress, Depression and ARV Adherence. Abstract accepted under the South African AIDS Conference, South Africa (SA AIDS), 2011. 17. Gee B, Jaffer M, Matanda M. Healing Orphans and Vulnerable Children with Happiness. Keynote at Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity Conference (NOAH), South Africa 2011 18. Gee B, Jaffer M Matanda M. Aerobic Laughter Therapy – an Exciting New Tool for Building Joy, Hope, Health and Resilience in Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Abstract accepted under the OVC in Africa Conference (OVC AFRICA), South Africa, 2010. 19. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M. Building Happiness, Hope and Resilience: The impact of HAHACARE Aerobic Laughter therapy on the happiness and wellbeing of 469 HIV caregivers and adult patients and OVC in their care in South Africa in USAID and HPCA funded programs. Abstract accepted under the African Palliative Care Association Conference (APCA), Namibia, 2010. 20. Gee B, Jaffer M Matanda M. Applied Positive Psychology: Healing Caregivers and Patients with Aerobic Laughter Therapy. Abstract accepted under the Hospice Palliative Care Association Annual Conference (HPCA), South Africa, 2010. 21. Gee B, Jaffer M Matanda M. The Impact of Aerobic Laughter Therapy on the Wellbeing, Happiness and Efficacy of South African HIV Caregivers in USAID Funded Programs - an Interim Report. South African Tuberculosis Conference (SATB), South Africa, 2010. 22. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M. The impact of Aerobic Laughter therapy on the happiness and wellbeing of 389 Orphans and Vulnerable children in South Africa in USAID funded programs. Abstract accepted under the XVIII International AIDS Conference, Austria (AIDS2010), 2010. 23. Matanda M, Gee B, Jaffer M. The impact of Aerobic Laughter therapy on the wellbeing, happiness and efficacy of South African HIV caregivers in USAID funded programs.  Abstract accepted under the XVIII International AIDS Conference  (AIDS2010), Austria, 2010. 24. Gee B, Jaffer M Matanda M. A revolution in Care: Aerobic Laughter Therapy for Caregivers and Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Abstract accepted under the PEPFAR OVC Technical Meeting (PEPFAR OVC), South Africa, 2009. 25. Jaffer M, The Happiness Phenomenon. Ismaili Africa, 2009 26. Jaffer M, Gee B, Makhelemele M. Caring for Caregivers: Harnessing the Human Spirit through Aerobic Laughter Therapy. Abstract accepted under the Children’s Hospice International 20th World Congress (CHI), South Africa, 2009. 27. Jaffer M, Gee B, Makhelemele M. The Impact of Aerobic Laughter Therapy on the Wellbeing, Happiness and Efficacy of South African HIV Caregivers and Orphans and Vulnerable Children in USAID Funded Programs - an Interim Report.  Abstract accepted under the Children’s Hospice International 20th World Congress (CHI), South Africa, 2009. 28. Gee, B. Aerobic Laughter for psychosocial support in palliative care settings. Keynote and Workshop at Hospice Palliative Care Association Annual Meeting (HPCA), South Africa 2008.

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