Role Of Adaptive And Maladaptive Humor In Quality Of Life Of Young Adults

Abstract

Humor plays an integral role in shaping individuals' psychological well-being and overall quality of life, especially among young adults. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between humor styles and dimensions of quality of life in a sample of young adults. Humor styles, as defined by Martin et al. (2003), are classified into affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating humor. A total of 200 young adults (aged 18-25 years) from Jaipur, Rajasthan, were selected through a convenience sampling method. A correlational research design was used. Participants completed the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and the Quality-of-Life Scale (QoLS). The results showed a significant positive correlation between adaptive and self-enhancing humor styles and the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of quality of life. Conversely, maladaptive humor styles, namely aggressive and self-defeating humor, were significantly negatively correlated with the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of quality of life. This study underscores the significance of adaptive humor in fostering a better quality of life, suggesting that humor can be an effective tool for promoting emotional resilience and mental health in young adults.