Understanding Linkages Between Dispositional Mindfulness, Humor Styles, and Mental Health Among Adolescents

Abstract

Mindfulness and humor styles have been associated with mental health in previous research studies, primarily 
focusing on adult samples. However, there is a scarcity of research conducted on adolescents in India. Therefore, the 
present study aims to investigate the relationship between mindfulness, humor styles, and mental health in a sample 
of 400 adolescents (200 males and 200 females) aged between 13 and 19 years. Participants completed the Five 
Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Humor Styles Questionnaire, and Mental Health Inventory. The data was 
analyzed using SPSS Version 26. Results reveal that affiliative humor exhibits positive correlations with various 
subscales of mental health, as well as overall mental health scores. Self-enhancing humor also shows positive 
correlations with overall mental health scores and all mental health subscales except Perception of reality. 
Conversely, aggressive humor demonstrates significant negative correlations with all mental health subscales and 
overall mental health scores. Self-defeating humor is negatively correlated with overall mental health scores and all 
mental health subscales except Autonomy. Furthermore, describing, acting with awareness, and total mindfulness 
are significantly positively correlated with all mental health subscales and overall mental health scores. Among the 
predictors examined, acting with awareness and describing dimensions of mindfulness emerge as the strongest 
predictors of overall mental health scores and mental health subscales. Aggressive humor, affiliative humor, and 
self-enhancing humor also contribute to the prediction of mental health subscales and overall mental health scores. 
Based on these findings, it is recommended that mental health professionals consider integrating mindfulness and 
humor styles into their therapeutic approaches when working with adolescents.