Abstract
Abstract During the first months of the corona crisis, people worldwide produced and shared thousands of uplifting (e.g., humorous, moving) media messages. The six studies reported here empirically tested the consolatory effects of viewing such positive media messages in the US, The Netherlands, and the UK. I compared the impact of humorous and moving (i.e., touching, heartwarming) messages, as they provide different kinds of well-being: hedonic versus eudaimonic. Studies 1–3 had correlational designs. Largely in line with the hedonic versus eudaimonic well-being framework, the results suggested that humorous messages lift people’s spirits by providing pleasure, while moving messages lift people’s spirits by providing realism, optimism, and by illustrating core human values. Studies 4–6 used a pre- and post-measure of negative and positive emotions. The results showed that viewing non-moving humorous messages significantly reduced negative emotions but did not increase positive emotions. Viewing non-humorous moving messages reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions in the US and UK, but not in The Netherlands. Finally, viewing messages that are both humorous and moving reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions in all samples, implying they are particularly valuable as mood-enhancers during crises. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Highlights
Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is. – Francis BaconThe rise of the COVID-19 virus ignited the production and sharing of a global stream of corona jokes via social media
The results showed that viewing non-moving humorous messages significantly reduced negative emotions but did not increase positive emotions
In a tracking poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) in mid-July, 53% of adults in the United States reported their mental health had declined due to worry and stress over the coronavirus, a marked increase compared to the 32% reported in March, when this question was included in KFF polling for the first time
Summary
Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is. – Francis Bacon. People exchanged moving corona messages that were optimistic and heartwarming, yet non-humorous. One such message reported that the air was cleaner than ever because people traveled less, causing the peaks of the Himalayas to be visible again. Another reported that for the first time in ages, the canals in Venice were bright blue and full of fish and nesting ducks ( this statement was questioned later). In April and May 2020, I investigated the consolatory effects of corona-related humorous and moving messages among residents of the US, The Netherlands, and the UK. I discuss the theoretical and practical significance of the findings
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