Humor and field energy in older adults

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of humor from the perspective of the Science of Unitary Human Beings as described by Martha Rogers. It was proposed that there would be mutual patterning of humor and field energy in older adults who are either institutionalized or non-institutionalized, and that both humor and field energy would be significantly lower in the institutionalized group. This study used a descriptive correlational design. The sample (N=80) consisted of individuals who were 55 years of age or older. The individuals in the sample were either residents of various nursing homes (n=40) or resided independently and attended activities at one of several different regional senior centers (n=40). Humor and field energy scores for the entire sample were significantly correlated (p = .000), as well as for institutionalized elders (p = .000) and for noninstitutionalized elders (p = .000). Additionally, when potential influences were controlled, the hypothesized relationship between humor and field energy (p = .000) was further supported regardless of group membership. Field energy was significantly lower (F = 16.93; p = .000) in the institutionalized, older adults than in the non-institutionalized older adults. Humor did not differ significantly between institutionalized and non-institutionalized subjects. Key Words: Field Energy, Gerontology, Humor, Science of Unitary Human Beings, Martha Rogers