Development and Validation of the Short Version of the Sense of Humor Scale (SHS-S)

Abstract

Abstract. Humor training has become increasingly popular to enhance the “sense of humor” and well-being and to decrease depressive symptoms. Despite the wide applications of these training programs, the assessment of training efficacy has attracted less attention. The Sense of Humor Scale (SHS; McGhee, 1996 , 1999 ) recently was expanded to a long version (SHS-L) to enhance its internal consistency ( Ruch & Heintz, 2018 ). At the same time, there is also the need for a brief version of this scale. The purpose of the present study is to develop a short version (SHS-S) in both German- and English-speaking countries, test its psychometric properties (internal consistency, factorial, construct, and criterion validity), and assess measurement invariance across gender and the two languages. Using three samples (Sample 1: 570 English-speakers, Sample 2: 353 German-speakers, Sample 3: 94 other-reports), the 29-item SHS-S was developed and yielded promising internal consistency and validity scores for the six humor skill factors of enjoyment of humor, laughter, verbal humor, finding humor in everyday life, laughing at yourself, and humor under stress. Overall, the SHS-S is an internally consistent, valid, and economic tool for future research and group-based applications, while the SHS-L seems especially useful in individual applications.

A Review of the Nature and Development of Humor Appreciation and Considerations for Teaching Humor to Autistic Persons

“…These appear promising for individual application. 67 Finally, when verbal humor (i.e., incongruity resolution) is involved, some professionals have offered informal assessments focusing on isolating the source of difficulty for treatment planning. 64,68 For example, major sources of difficulty in grasping verbal humor include vocabulary deficits, lack of general world knowledge, poor metalinguistic skills, or difficulties with figurative language, 68 and recently developed tools to assess various aspects of verbal humor comprehension by incongruity type are now available (see the Materials Room at Theoryofmindinventory.com).…”