EPV810 - Humor Styles and Quality of Life in Older Adults Evidence from an Extended Sample

EPV810

Humor Styles and Quality of Life in Older Adults Evidence from an Extended Sample

E. Bartzou ^1,*, C. Tsironis ¹, A. Nakou ¹, E. Dragioti ¹, N. Zagorianakou ¹, S. Mantzoukas ², M. Gouva ¹

¹ Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Research Laboratory Psychology of Patients, Families & Health Professionals, ² Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Research Laboratory of Integrated Health, Care and Well-being, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

 

Introduction: 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