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Humor, Laughter, and Happiness in the Daily Lives of Recently Bereaved Spouses

Authors:
Lund, Dale A.
Utz, Rebecca
Caserta, Michael S.
De Vries, Brian

Source:
Omega: 2008-2009, 58(2), pp. 87-105.

Summary

This article summarizes the results of a research study in which 292 recently widowed men and women, aged 50 and over, responded to questionnaires designed to investigate the role of humor, laughter, and happiness in their daily lives. The questionnaires were designed to assess the bereaved in three areas: 1) the extent to which they rated humor and happiness as being very important in their daily lives, 2) the extent to which they were actually experiencing humor, laughter, and happiness in their daily lives, and 3) the level of grief symptoms and depression they were experiencing. The results of the study indicated that the recently bereaved generally placed a high value on humor and happiness in their lives, and were experiencing humor, laughter, and happiness at generally high levels. In addition, the results of the study showed that those individuals who placed a high degree of importance on humor and happiness and also had a high experience level with these positive emotions had the most positive adjustment to bereavement. Individuals who placed a high value on positive emotions, but were not experiencing humor and happiness, showed higher levels of grief and depression. The authors suggest that interventions with the bereaved incorporate discussions and activities that facilitate the expression of positive emotions.

Key Words: humor, laughter, happy, positive

Service Provider Implications

The results of this research study contribute to the existing literature suggesting that bereaved persons benefit from interventions that promote the experience of positive emotions, such as humor, laughter, and happiness, since positive emotions are associated with better bereavement adjustment.