Abstract
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and the relation between humor and psychological well-being within the context of Italy. A total of 293 (178 females, 115 males) Italian high school and undergraduate university students – whose ages ranged from 14 to 25 years – completed the Italian versions of the HSQ and the Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being scales (RPWB). The HSQ scale reliabilities were generally acceptable, and intercorrelations among the scales were rather low; the confirmatory factor analysis supported the four-factor structure. Males reported significantly more use of Aggressive humor than did females; no differences were found between adolescents and young adults in the use of humor styles. Affiliative and Self-enhancing humor styles were positively associated with the six dimensions of the RPWB, whereas Self-defeating humor was negatively correlated with the RPWB scales. SEM analysis showed a significant and positive relationship between humor as measured by the HSQ and psychological well-being as assessed by the RPWB. Overall, the findings supported the theoretical structure and usefulness of the HSQ in an Italian context and the differential role of humor components in the various dimensions of psychological well-being.
Highlights
The growing interest in positive human psychological functioning has focused on the potentially beneficial effects of humor on physical and psychosocial health and well-being (e.g., Edwards & Martin, 2010; Kuiper & Harris, 2009; Kuiper & McHale, 2009; Martin, Puhlik-Doris, Larsen, Gray, & Weir, 2003)
Humor represents a multidimensional construct related to features of the stimulus, to mental processes affected, and to personal responses provided by people; whereas a sense of humor refers to a personal trait that covers the various cognitive, emotional, behavioral, psychophysiological, and social components of humor (Martin, 2000; Martin et al, 2003; Vernon et al, 2009)
Such a difference was due to scores on Aggressive humor, in which males scored significantly higher than females (t(291) = -3.65, p < .001)
Summary
The growing interest in positive human psychological functioning has focused on the potentially beneficial effects of humor on physical and psychosocial health and well-being (e.g., Edwards & Martin, 2010; Kuiper & Harris, 2009; Kuiper & McHale, 2009; Martin, Puhlik-Doris, Larsen, Gray, & Weir, 2003). Notwithstanding the large number of studies conducted and the variety of correlations examined, insights into the role of humor as a component of positive psychology linked to the various aspects of mental and physical health and psychological well-being remains rather weak. Humor represents a multidimensional construct related to features of the stimulus, to mental processes affected, and to personal responses provided by people; whereas a sense of humor refers to a personal trait that covers the various cognitive, emotional, behavioral, psychophysiological, and social components of humor (Martin, 2000; Martin et al, 2003; Vernon et al, 2009). Some examples come from early theorists of laughter such as Aristotle and Plato, who considered the sense of humor a result of a sense of personal supremacy derived from ridiculing another’s lack of common sense, personal limitations, or unattractiveness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
