Feasibility of a Humor Training to Promote Humor and Decrease Stress in a Subclinical Sample: A Single-Arm Pilot Study

Abstract

The present study investigates the feasibility of a humor training for a subclinical sample suffering from increased stress, depressiveness, or anxiety. Based on diagnostic interviews, 35 people were invited to participate in a 7-week humor training. Evaluation measures were filled in prior training, after training, and at a 1-month follow-up including humor related outcomes (coping humor and cheerfulness) and mental health-related outcomes (perceived stress, depressiveness, anxiety, and well-being). Outcomes were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVAs. Within-group comparisons of intention-to-treat analysis showed main effects of time with large effect sizes on all outcomes. Post hoc tests showed medium to large effect sizes on all outcomes from pre to post and results remained stable until follow-up. Satisfaction with the training was high, attrition rate low (17.1%), and participants would highly recommend the training. Summarizing the results, the pilot study showed promising effects for people suffering from subclinical symptoms. All outcomes were positively influenced and showed stability over time. Humor trainings could be integrated more into mental health care as an innovative program to reduce stress whilst promoting also positive emotions. However, as this study was a single-arm pilot study, further research (including also randomized controlled trials) is still needed to evaluate the effects more profoundly.

Predictors of Adolescent Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cognitive Reappraisal and Humor

“…These two forms of humor may promote resilience through different pathways: selfenhancing humor through positive affect and affiliative humor through social engagement. Humor can be increased through targeted interventions, resulting in more positive emotions and less perceived stress [30,31]. This may occur in part because selfenhancing humor involves strategies that make light of daily experiences, which may be an important source of positive affect.…”

Who Benefits From Humor-Based Positive Psychology Interventions? The Moderating Effects of Personality Traits and Sense of Humor

“…Previous research provides support for the notion that they can enhance well-being in the general population (e.g., McGhee, 2010b ; Crawford and Caltabiano, 2011 ; Gander et al, 2013 ; Proyer et al, 2014 ; Wellenzohn et al, 2016b ; for an overview see Ruch and McGhee, 2014 ; Ruch and Hofmann, 2017 ), but also in clinical samples [e.g., Hirsch et al, 2010 ; Falkenberg et al, 2011 ; Konradt et al, 2013 ; see also Berger et al (2017) ]. There are group-administered training programs for humor that were found to be effective for enhancing emotional well-being, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, subjective health, positive mood, optimism, and lowering depression, feelings of stress or suicidal tendencies (e.g., Papousek and Schulter, 2008 ; Hirsch et al, 2010 ; Crawford and Caltabiano, 2011 ; Falkenberg et al, 2011 ; Ruch et al, 2018b ; Tagalidou et al, 2018 , Tagalidou et al, in press ; for an overview see McGhee, 2010a , b ). Thus, humor-based PPIs are expected to be well-received by the participants and enable a higher commitment to continue practicing and incorporating the activities into daily life.…”

Efficacy and feasibility of a humor training for people suffering from depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder: a randomized controlled trial

“…A total of 111 people initially registered on the training website (for this and the subclinical study [ 51 ]), 105 of whom were contacted by telephone for pre-screening. Seventy-six (68.5%) individuals were eligible to participate in the face-to-face diagnostic interview.…”

“…a 3.40 (0.65) 3.67 (0.65) Note : 1 = does not apply at all, 2 = hardly applies, 3 = applies partly, 4 = fairly applies, 5 = applies completely; a 1 = No, in no case, 2 = Rather not, 3 = Rather yes, 4 = Yes, in any case. Items of the feedback questionnaire were also used in Tagalidou et al [ 51 ] …”

“…Recruitment for this study took place parallel to a second humor training study in the same institution [ 51 ]. Neither studies nor recruited samples overlap (they are independent) as the participants in this sample had an acute mental disorder, while the second study included participants who had only subclinical symptoms (i.e.…”