The Role of Humor in Transforming Stressful Life Events

Abstract

(from the chapter) In considering the spectrum of interventions forstressful transitions in the life span, humor as a way of transitioningstressful life events has provided a vehicle for coping, adjustment,or accommodation of some of the most difficult transitions faced.The authors offer a special and unique formula in their chapter.Addressed is a special understanding of humor in coping with stressfullife transitions in the life span. The authors are careful in defininghumor and its role in coping with difficult transitions. Their definitionof humor refers to an attitude that allows one to see life in a betterperspective, to transcend our current situation, to seek out andenjoy all the absurdities that present themselves to us on a dailybasis, to gain control of our destinies, and to live in the presentwithout fear of change. Humor must not be more than an arsenal ofjokes, nor does it mean laughing off a situation that demands anddeserves attention and action. A case example is offered of a youngcancer patient who was seen by one of the authors, who used humorpositively and constructively to help deal with the changes thather diagnosis produced. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, allrights reserved)