Humor and Affective Consequences of a Stressful Task

Abstract

This study addressed the combined effects of trait humor and a humorous situation designed to generate mirth on affective consequences following anagram tasks inducing either low or high stress, and differences between men and women. The results revealed an overall greater benefit from viewing a humorous video versus a nonhumorous video with reduction in state anxiety and improvement in positive affect under both low and high stress. However, an interaction with gender indicated women benefiting more from the humorous condition under low stress and men benefiting more under high stress. At low trait humor, significantly lower state anxiety existed for those experiencing high stress and viewing a humorous versus nonhumorous video; no significant difference for type of video existed at high trait humor. Finally, a significant negative relationship existed between trait humor and anxiety for highly stressed women regardless of video viewed, no significant relationship was obtained for men. Results were discussed as to differences in effects for trait humor and induced mirth on stress-related affective consequences including gender differences.