Liking sick humor: Coping styles and religion as predictors

Abstract

Previous studies have investigated how humor in general, but not specific humor styles in particular, is related to different coping styles. In the present study, 256 adults were asked to rate the funniness of 24 written jokes selected by the authors as representative of sick humor (humor on death, disgusting jokes, and jokes on disabled persons) and neutral, non-sick humor. In addition, they completed the Brief COPE Inventory (Carver 1997) and a religiosity index. Appreciation of sick humor was positively related to coping styles reflecting emotional expression and to use of humor as coping, and negatively related to religion measures. Appreciation of neutral humor was positively related to coping styles reflecting active coping and positivity in reframing. Although religiosity seemed to share with humor the latter coping styles, it differed in that it was negatively related to emotional expression coping styles and self-distraction, the latter style being typical of all humor indicators of the study. The discussion points out the reasons for distinguishing sick jokes from humor in general.