Ability emotional intelligence and life satisfaction: Humor style as a mediator

Abstract

We examined the path effect of humor style (HS) in terms of ability emotional intelligence (EI) and life satisfaction (LS) with 260 Chinese university students. The ability EI, HS, and LS of participants were measured with Chinese language versions of the measures, including the Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Humor Styles Questionnaire, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. We found that EI and LS were positively correlated. Positive HS (affiliative and self-enhancing) positively mediated EI and LS, and negative HS (aggressive and self-defeating) mediated EI and LS negatively. After control had been established for the other mediating variables, self-enhancing HS accounted for more variance in EI and LS than did the other 3 HS. These results increase understanding of how individuals with strong ability to regulate their emotions via a concrete HS improve their LS. Lastly, we recommended a process and mechanism for improving LS with EI.