Humor styles and subjective wellbeing in older adults: Identifying mediators and associated implications for healthy aging

Humor style refers to two positive (affiliative; self-enhancing) and two negative (aggressive; self-defeating) dimensions of the use of humor in daily life. In younger adults, positive and negative humor styles are associated with higher and lower wellbeing, respectively. The association between humor styles and wellbeing in older adults, however, remains underexplored. 403 participants (mean age = 73.43; 87 % culturally Australian) completed an online survey: humor styles questionnaire, Lubben social networks scale, depression in older age scale, and satisfaction with life scale. Regression modelling showed affiliative (β = 0.14, p = .020) and self-enhancing (β = 0.16, p = .009) humor were significantly associated with greater wellbeing; self-defeating humor was associated with poorer wellbeing (β = −0.12, p = .033). Differential indirect effects were identified between humor styles and wellbeing: affiliative humor (predictor) and social support (mediator), β = 0.084, 95 % CI = 0.043, 0.132; self-enhancing humor (predictor) and depressive symptoms (mediator), β = 0.095, 95 % CI = 0.037, 0.160; self-defeating humor (predictor) and depressive symptoms (mediator), β = −0.072, 95 % CI = −0.132, −0.020. Different humor styles significantly relate to subjective wellbeing in older adults via divergent psychosocial pathways. Humor heavily infiltrates social interactions and may support psychological health. Our findings establish humor as likely contributing to the complex psychosocial framework supporting aging well. • Different humor styles significantly relate to wellbeing in older adults. • Divergent psychosocial mediation pathways were found. • This is the first study to demonstrate these pathways in older adults (65+). • We suggest humor-based approaches to healthy aging may be beneficial. • More culturally diverse samples and longitudinal investigation are needed.