Is the use of humor associated with anger management? The assessment of individual differences in humor styles in Spain. (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torres-Marín, Jorge; Navarro-Carrillo, Ginés; Carretero-Dios, Hugo
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 120(2017)
• Page Start: 193
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Humor styles -- HSQ -- Spanish version -- Well-being -- Personality -- Anger management; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.08.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Individual differences in the use of humor are a growing topic in personality research. This paper presents the psychometric analysis of the Spanish version of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ; Martin, Puhlik-Doris, Larsen, Gray, & Weir, 2003). A total of 1068 adults whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years participated in five different studies. First, we tested the dimensionality and internal consistency of the instrument; we also replicated previous relationships between humor styles and well-being and personality (Big Five and HEXACO models). Second, we obtained new external validity evidence regarding the role of humor styles in anger management. Our results showed that self-enhancing humor was associated with a higher ability to reduce angry feelings and to avoid the external expression of anger. Higher scores on maladaptive humor styles, such as aggressive and self-defeating humor, were correlated with a greater inclination to express anger toward other people and with an increased tendency to engage in anger suppression, respectively. Results suggest that the HSQ is a reliable and valid option for measuring humor styles in the Spanish population. Highlights: Adequate psychometric properties were found for the Spanish version of the HSQ. Relationships between HSQ scores and well-being and personality were replicated. The role of humor styles in anger management was analyzed. Self-enhancing humor was associated with a higher control of anger. Maladaptive humor styles were correlated with a higher expression of anger.