The Relationship Between Humor Styles, Perceived Stress, and Emotional Well-Being

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between humor styles, perceived stress, and emotional well-being. A correlational research design was utilized with a sample of 153 young adults who completed standardized measures, including the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The results strongly supported the study’s hypotheses. Adaptive humor styles (affiliative and self-enhancing) were significantly negatively correlated with perceived stress and positively correlated with well-being. Conversely, maladaptive humor styles (aggressive and self-defeating) were significantly positively correlated with perceived stress and negative affect. These findings underscore the critical importance of the type of humor used as a psychological coping mechanism. The results affirm that adaptive humor serves as a significant buffer against stress, while maladaptive humor is associated with increased psychological distress, providing clear implications for mental health interventions.