How adaptive and maladaptive humor influence well-being at work: A diary study

Hannes Guenter, Bert Schreurs, IJ. Hetty Van Emmerik, Wout Gijsbers, Ad Van Iterson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate how adaptive and maladaptive humor influence well-being in the workplace. In particular, this study examines the extent to which reactions from others (i.e., humor targets) can moderate the relationship between humor and well-being. Unlike prior research, we adopted a withinperson research design. We used data from a two-week-long diary study of 57 Dutch individuals employed in the automotive sector. Our hierarchical linear modeling analysis found that employees are more engaged on days when they express adaptive humor, while they appear more emotionally exhausted on days when they express maladaptive humor. Reactions from humor targets do not moderate the effects of humor. Using a within-person design, this study makes an important contribution to the humor at work literature, which has focused almost exclusively on inter-individual differences.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)573-594
Number of pages22
JournalHumor
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Oct 2013

Keywords

  • adaptive humor
  • diary study
  • emotional exhaustion
  • humor
  • maladaptive humor
  • work engagement

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