A lighthearted approach to mindfulness: development and evaluation of a humor-enriched mindfulness-based program in a randomized trial.
Christian T Kastner
Frontiers in Psychology February 6, 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1324329 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Adults randomly allocated to the HEMBP or a wait-list control group |
| Intervention | Humor-enriched mindfulness-based program (HEMBP) |
| Duration | Assessments 1 week before and after training, and at a 1-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Stress Randomized controlled trial Humor Well-being Mindfulness-based intervention Gelotophobia Comic styles |
| Key findings | The humor-enriched mindfulness-based program increased mindfulness, benevolent humor, and psychological well-being and reduced sarcasm, cynicism, stress, and gelotophobia compared with a wait-list control. The authors argue these results support the program's validity and efficacy and are suggestive of the proposed mindful humor filter model. |
Abstract
Objectives: Recently, research on mindfulness and humor has begun to spark interest, both being essential contributors to well-being. This article proposes that forms of humor that share intention and attitudinal foundations with mindfulness, constitute the foundation of a mindful-humorous perspective and mindful humor. Once intention and attitude are in alignment, shared mechanisms underlying a mindful-humorous perspective may lead to synergetic effects (e.g., reinforcing a shift in perspective and attitudinal foundations) as summarized in the proposed mindful humor filter model (MHFM). Based on this theoretical framework, the humor-enriched mindfulness-based program (HEMBP) was developed and evaluated for validity and efficacy in a randomized controlled trial as a first step to test the newly introduced model.
Methods: A total of 60 participants were randomly allocated to either the HEMBP or a wait-list control group. Participants' mindfulness, comic styles (e.g., benevolent humor, sarcasm, and cynicism), psychological well-being, life satisfaction, stress, and gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at) were assessed 1 week before and after training, and at a 1-month follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models were fitted to model changes in outcome variables over time.
Results: The HEMBP was effective in increasing mindfulness, benevolent humor, and psychological well-being, and in reducing sarcasm, cynicism, stress, and gelotophobia, compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Results support the validity and efficacy of the HEMBP as a promising approach for improving well-being and reducing stress. The HEMBP broadens the scope of existing mindfulness-based programs by cultivating a mindful-humorous outlook on life, facilitating mindfulness practice and insights, and fostering positive emotions and relationships with others through mindful humor. Results are also suggestive of the validity of the mindful humor filter model.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
and 7 more in the library