Humor Styles and Quality of Life in Older Adults Evidence from an Extended Sample
E. Bartzou, C. Tsironis, A. Nakou, E. Dragioti, N. Zagorianakou, S. Mantzoukas, M. GouvaIntroduction
Humor is an important psychological resource associated with resilience, well-being, and social functioning. In later life, humor may influence quality of life, serving as a coping mechanism against the challenges of aging. Previous research has indicated that positive humor styles are linked with better psychosomatic health in older adults.
Objectives
The present study aimed to expand previous findings by examining the associations between humor styles and quality of life in a larger sample of older adults.
Methods
A total of 608 older adults (aged 65–99 years) participated in this cross-sectional study.
Participants completed demographic information, the Greek version of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and the SF-36 (Short Form Health Survey) to assess quality of life. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations were performed.
Results
Self-Enhancing Humor showed the strongest positive correlations with General Health (GH, r=0.38), Social Functioning (SF, r=0.38), Mental Health (r=0.37), Physical Health (r=0.36), and Mental Well-Being (MH, r=0.35). Affiliative Humor was also positively, though more modestly, associated with Social Functioning and Mental Well-Being (r≈0.21). In contrast, Aggressive and Self-Defeating Humor did not demonstrate significant positive relationships with quality of life indicators.
Conclusions
These findings, based on an extended sample, confirm and strengthen previous evidence that positive forms of humor—particularly Self-Enhancing Humor—are closely associated with better physical, mental, and social aspects of quality of life in older adults. Promoting such humor styles may be a valuable target for psychosocial interventions aiming to improve well-being in later life.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared