The Humor-emotional Regulation Link: Does Empathy Mediate this Relationship?

Description

Page: 326-330

Sivaragini Ramesh, Varsha Gopal G, Roshan Ganesh, Sangsthita Roy, and Elham Reemal (School of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Jain (Deemed to be University) , Bengaluru, Karnataka)

While a good joke can bring room for laughter, the science behind humor and its influence remains a fascinating mystery. This study delves beyond the punchline, exploring the aspects of humor its interplay with emotional regulation and empathy, and investigating how empathy influences the relationship between emotional regulation and humor styles in Indian young adults (18-25 years old, n = 266). Participants completed questionnaires assessing these constructs. The findings revealed significant correlations between humor styles, empathy, and emotional regulation. Results indicated a positive correlation between self-enhancing humor and cognitive reappraisal, suggesting that this humor style fosters perspective-taking and enhances emotional management. Cognitive empathy showed a significant positive association with cognitive reappraisal, highlighting the influence of understanding others’ emotions in facilitating reappraisal use. Notably, no correlation was found between affective empathy and cognitive reappraisal, indicating potential reliance on distinct mental processes. Furthermore, cognitive reappraisal showed a positive correlation with expressive suppression, suggesting that individuals may employ both strategies simultaneously to manage their emotions. These findings offer a deeper insight into the nuanced interplay among humor, emotion regulation, and empathy, particularly emphasizing the mediating role empathy may play in these relationships. By demonstrating how empathy can influence the way emotional regulation strategies are linked to humor styles, this research paves the way for future investigations into the potential benefits of humor for emotional well-being and positive social interactions.