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New research published in Europe’s Journal of Psychology has found connections between different types of humor and mental health. The study indicates that while benevolent humor, characterized by kind-hearted jokes and good-natured teasing, is linked to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, darker forms of humor, such as cynicism and irony, are linked to aspects of emotional distress.
Over the past 40 years, the academic community has increasingly recognized humor as a crucial element in coping strategies, helping individuals to distance themselves from their problems, and thereby increasing positive emotions and reducing tension.
However, despite the universality of humor, its multifaceted nature – encompassing emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components – has made it a complex subject for researchers. This complexity sparked the researchers’ curiosity, leading them to investigate how different styles of humor relate to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress.
“Exploring the potent role of humor within the realm of applied research in mental health, holds significant interest. As a cognitive behavioral psychotherapist, my primary research focus spans 15 years, delving into the benefits of humor across various contexts,” explained study author Alberto Dionigi, co-Editor-in-Chief of the Rivista Italiana di Studi sull’Umorismo.
“Humor, as a versatile tool, manifests positive effects by serving as an emotion regulator, coping mechanism, and distraction technique. These facets contribute to the attenuation of negative emotions and enhancement of positive ones. In my professional practice, I routinely incorporate humor, observing its impact on patients.”
“The frequent observation of how a positive and lighter perspective can contribute to personal well-being prompted me to delve deeper into this subject. Consequently, my research endeavors concentrate on understanding the nuanced relationship between specific categories of humor, anxiety, stress and depression.”
The study involved 686 Italian participants, comprising 187 men and 499 women, aged between 20 and 76 years. These participants, who were generally well-educated, represented a diverse cross-section in terms of educational background and marital status.
To conduct the study, researchers employed two specific measures. The first was the Comic Style Markers (CSM), a questionnaire where participants rated 48 statements to express their typical humor style on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Eight comic styles were examined, each representing a unique approach to humor. These included “Fun,” characterized by light-heartedness and joy; “Humor,” which focuses on gently poking fun at life’s quirks; “Nonsense,” reveling in absurdity and illogic; “Wit,” marked by intellectual sharpness and cleverness; “Irony,” where the said is often opposite to the meant, requiring a nuanced understanding; “Satire,” used for social critique through ridicule; “Sarcasm,” a more biting and direct form of verbal irony; and “Cynicism,” which embodies skepticism and a mocking attitude towards societal norms.
The second tool used was the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), a self-reporting questionnaire designed to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The data collection was conducted via an online survey disseminated through social media and mailing lists, with participants’ anonymity maintained throughout the process.
“Humor is a multifaceted concept with both positive and negative dimensions,” Dionigi told PsyPost. “Broadly, numerous studies indicate that individuals possessing a heightened (adaptive) sense of humor tend to experience lower levels of anxiety and stress compared to those with a lower sense of humor. Through our research, we have successfully pinpointed the specific types of humor that can serve as a preventative measure against anxiety, stress and depression.”
“Results reveal that benign humor serves as a protective factor for all three variables under consideration. Additionally, irony demonstrates a positive association with anxiety and stress, whereas wit emerges as a protective factor linked to anxiety. On the other hand, sarcasm is positively related to depression. Notably, no significant correlations were found between the other variables examined.”
But the study — like all research — includes some caveats.
“The study was conducted with a sample of Italian participants, emphasizing the need for further research to validate these results across diverse cultures and nationalities,” Dionigi explained. “Secondly, the exclusive use of self-reports represents a limitation in our study. Subsequent research should broaden the assessment to include multimethod data, incorporating perspectives beyond self-perceptions, such as other reports.”
“Moreover, due to the correlational nature of the study, establishing causal implications is challenging. Lastly, the relationship between humor and emotional distress may be bidirectional, necessitating alternative research designs to delve deeper into the intricate connections between these variables.”
“The relationship between humor and emotional distress may be bidirectional, necessitating alternative research designs to delve deeper into the intricate connections between these variables,” Dionigi added. “I sincerely hope that advancements in research in this field can significantly contribute to enhancing people’s lives, fostering greater flourishing. It’s crucial to recognize that humor is a double-edged sword, emphasizing the importance of using it in the most appropriate and constructive manner possible.”
The study, “Understanding the Association Between Humor and Emotional Distress: The Role of Light and Dark Humor in Predicting Depression, Anxiety, and Stress“, was authored by Alberto Dionigi, Mirko Duradoni, and Laura Vagnoli.
