Implementation of a manual-based training of humor abilities in patients with depression: A pilot study

Abstract Humor and laughter can positively influence mood, promote optimism and lead to a change of perspective. Six patients with major depression participated in a group training program specifically designed to enhance humor abilities. After 8 weeks of training, short-term mood improvement was ob...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2011-04, Vol.186 (2), p.454-457
Main Authors: Falkenberg, Irina, Buchkremer, Gerhard, Bartels, Mathias, Wild, Barbara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Coping
Depression - psychology
Depression - rehabilitation
Female
Group psychotherapy
Humans
Laughter
Male
Medical sciences
Musculoskeletal Manipulations - methods
Pain Measurement
Pilot Projects
Positive emotions
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychometrics
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychotherapies. Psychological and clinical counseling
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatments
Wit and Humor as Topic
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Summary:Abstract Humor and laughter can positively influence mood, promote optimism and lead to a change of perspective. Six patients with major depression participated in a group training program specifically designed to enhance humor abilities. After 8 weeks of training, short-term mood improvement was observed and the patients considered themselves more capable of using humor as a coping strategy. Acquired humor skills also helped to sustain the patients' motivation throughout the training period. In light of these encouraging findings, further studies to compare the effectiveness of the humor training with the effectiveness of other types of intervention and to assess its potential long-term effects seem warranted.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2010.10.009