Moving Forward in Fostering Humour: Towards Training Lighter Forms of Humour in Multicultural Contexts

Hofmann, Jennifer; Ruch, Willibald; Zyl, Llewellyn Ellardus van; Rothmann, Sebastiaan

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-20583-6_1

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 42 publications

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“…Research has shown that humor interventions may be designed in various ways. 16–19 Humorous videos, 20 , 21 clown visits, 22–24 laughter yoga, 25 , 26 and other personalized interventions 27 have all shown benefit to some degree. Group and individual interventions 28 , 29 and the use of different kinds of humor 30–33 have been tested.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Study Protocol of the Application of Humor Interventions in Palliative Care Through a First Pilot Study

Linge-Dahl,

Heintz,

Ruch

et al. 2023

Palliative Medicine Reports

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Background: Humor and laughter might have an alleviating effect on pain threshold and enhance coping and building relationships. However, randomized controlled studies in palliative care have struggled with high percentages of attrition and missing values. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate a study protocol through a pilot study for the evaluation of a multistage humor intervention with psychological and physiological outcome parameters that may be applied successfully in a palliative care environment. Design: This pilot study utilized a pre–post design. The inclusion of a control group for the final study setting recruiting 120 patients is planned. Setting/Subjects: The study was a monocenter study in a clinic for palliative care in Germany. All patients were eligible for recruitment. Seven patients were recruited for the pilot study. Measurements: Interventions were developed using a humor training for psychiatric patients. Quantitative sensory testing for pain threshold testing and questionnaires on humor as a character trait, pain intensity, life satisfaction, and symptom burden were planned to be evaluated before and after three humor interventions. Results: The feasibility of the original study design was re-evaluated after pilot testing. Only two out of the seven patients were able to complete two interventions, requiring modification. Fewer questionnaires, less complex physiological testing, and reduction from three to two interventions were then planned. Conclusion: The initial planned research methodology must be adjusted for patients with high symptom burden. In the experimental group of the final study setting, the effects of one to two interventions will be evaluated measuring oxytocin levels in saliva and using standardized questionnaires to determine cheerfulness, life satisfaction and symptom burden, as well as assessing as-needed medication. Trial registration: DRKS00028978 German Registry of Clinical Studies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Study Protocol of the Application of Humor Interventions in Palliative Care Through a First Pilot Study

Linge-Dahl,

Heintz,

Ruch

et al. 2023

Palliative Medicine Reports

Self Cite

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How do we rage against the dying of the light? A trans-generational exploration of character strengths

Vyas

2023

MHSI

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Purpose This study aims to investigate character strengths, focussing on their development over time and application from a personal perspective. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted using an autoethnographic, semi-structured interview approach with two participants: the authors themselves. Findings This study explored character strengths, their commonalities across generations and how personal experiences shape them. It also highlighted how to encourage others to recognise and use their strengths. Research limitations/implications This study also enriches character strengths theory by addressing cultural and generational differences, aligning with positive psychology 3.0 (Lomas et al., 2020). This study also introduces a unique methodological approach to explore character strengths. Practical implications This study provides novel insights for personal growth, enhancing psychological evaluations and inter-generational discourse on knowledge transfer through the lens of character strengths. These can be used to develop interventions for a range of populations. Originality/value Through this personalised and culturally relevant approach, novel insights into the longitudinal effects of interactions between individual experiences and character strengths were gained. This study emphasised the dynamic nature of strengths and drew parallels to the tenets of Indian psychology, thereby underscoring the significance of strengths as a pivotal next step in the understanding of a person.

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Medical assistants’ comic styles and their potential for positive functioning at work: a cross-sectional study including a subgroup analysis

Raecke,

Proyer

2024

BMC Prim. Care

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Background Medical assistants are essential for the healthcare system. However, they face several working demands every day, for which they need resources to cope. While several studies show that humour can be a resource for healthcare professionals, studies on humour styles/comic styles in healthcare are scarce. But, as humour styles (e.g., light vs. dark) may have varying – and even negative – effects on positive psychological functioning, it is important to investigate their individual potential for medical assistants. Thus, this study investigates the relationships between medical assistants’ comic styles and their positive psychological functioning at work. Methods Applying a cross-sectional design we assessed German medical assistants’ eight comic styles (i.e., benevolent humour, fun, wit, nonsense, irony, satire, sarcasm, cynicism) and facets of positive psychological functioning (e.g., well-being, feeling of competence). We analysed relationships between the variables by means of Pearson correlations, ANCOVAs and hierarchical regressions. All analyses were conducted with the total sample (N = 608; completion rate 44%) as well as a large subsample of medical assistants working in general medicine (N = 263). Results While most of the light styles (e.g., benevolent humour) relate positively to most facets, the dark style sarcasm relates negatively. The other dark styles showed coefficients around zero or even slightly positive ones (e.g., satire). Most relationships were also prevalent in the subgroup of medical assistants working in general medicine. Conclusions The eight comic styles might have varying potential for medical assistants’ positive psychological functioning at work, with benevolent humour being most adaptive and sarcasm being maladaptive. This study points to the relevance of raising attention regarding the (mal-)adaptiveness of different comic styles of healthcare professionals. Trainings of professionals (e.g., vocational education and training of medical assistants) might integrate the topic of humour (i.e., foster benevolent vs. caution against sarcastic humour) to build and maintain this helpful resource which professionals can use as a tool to master various challenges of everyday work (e.g., cope with stressful situations).

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Moving Forward in Fostering Humour: Towards Training Lighter Forms of Humour in Multicultural Contexts

Cited by 4 publications

References 42 publications

Evaluation of a Study Protocol of the Application of Humor Interventions in Palliative Care Through a First Pilot Study

Evaluation of a Study Protocol of the Application of Humor Interventions in Palliative Care Through a First Pilot Study

How do we rage against the dying of the light? A trans-generational exploration of character strengths

Medical assistants’ comic styles and their potential for positive functioning at work: a cross-sectional study including a subgroup analysis

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