The Role of Humour in the Social Care Professions: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Six social care professionals were recruited to take part in in-depth interviews that sought to explore their phenomenological experiences of humour within their place of work. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, the results suggest that humour serves various important functions within social care. Humour can allow social care professionals to relieve themselves of negative emotions, to avoid stress and cynicism, to achieve a sense of normality and perspective and to engage with service users. The positive impact humour appears to have upon these professionals is in keeping with the humour–health hypothesis, which posits that humour enhances well-being. However, results from this study also suggest that humour may be capable of negatively impacting well-being. Arguably, these findings highlight the need to extend the humour–health hypothesis and incorporate the negative effects humour can have upon well-being. Results also indicate that, if used appropriately, humour can be utilised to benefit work performance and service user outcomes. The findings of this research hold important implications for how humour may be understood and fostered in social care training, practice and policy.

The benefit, harm, and complication of humor in social work: A qualitative inquiry

“…Communications, psychology, and humor studies research indicates that one's humor style (e.g., aggressive, affilitative) can determine the positive or negative impact of humor on all involved and that humor may exacerbate negative emotional states in general, in relationships, and in the workplace (Cann et al, 2014; Dionigi et al, 2021; Frisby et al, 2016; Geisler & Weber, 2010; Martin et al, 2003; McCosker & Moran, 2012). Research on humor in the helping professions generally documents that professionals use humor strategically with clients and spontaneously with colleagues to reduce negative emotions, enhance resilience, and shift perspective (Fogarty & Elliot, 2020; Gilgun & Sharma, 2012; Rowe & Regehr, 2010). Helping professionals also use humor to discuss service users in a derogatory manner which could lessen burnout but enhance the divide between service providers and users (Fogarty & Elliot, 2020).…”

“…Research on humor in the helping professions generally documents that professionals use humor strategically with clients and spontaneously with colleagues to reduce negative emotions, enhance resilience, and shift perspective (Fogarty & Elliot, 2020; Gilgun & Sharma, 2012; Rowe & Regehr, 2010). Helping professionals also use humor to discuss service users in a derogatory manner which could lessen burnout but enhance the divide between service providers and users (Fogarty & Elliot, 2020).…”

“…While the humor literature broadly provides some insights into its use, there is a dearth of research in social work journals on humor, including its benefits and pitfalls (Christensen, 2020; Fogarty & Elliot, 2020; Gilgun & Sharma, 2012). The limited social work research on humor indicates that social workers use humor with clients to humanize themselves, reduce threat perceptions, and ultimately form meaningful connections (Jordan, 2017).…”