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Exploring the Interplay of Humor and Quality of Life in Adults Confronting Chronic Diseases: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

E. Bartzou*
Affiliation:
1Research Laboratory Psychology of Patients, Families & Health Professionals, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
E. Tsiloni
Affiliation:
2Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, Patra
S. Mantzoukas
Affiliation:
3Research Laboratory of Integrated Health, Care and Well-being, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
E. Dragioti
Affiliation:
1Research Laboratory Psychology of Patients, Families & Health Professionals, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
M. Gouva
Affiliation:
1Research Laboratory Psychology of Patients, Families & Health Professionals, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Chronic diseases, often referred to as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), stand as the leading global cause of mortality. Individuals grappling with chronic ailments frequently experience a decline in their overall quality of life (QoL), encompassing psychological, social, and physical dimensions of well-being.

Objectives

Recognizing that humor has demonstrated the potential to engender favorable effects on QoL, this systematic review seeks to explore the correlation between humor and QoL among adults contending with chronic health conditions.

Methods

A thorough examination of quantitative data was conducted in strict adherence to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were comprehensively searched from their inception until June 22, 2023. Furthermore, the reference lists of the included datasets and relevant review articles were exhaustively scrutinized (Figure 1). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was employed to assess the quality of eligible studies.

Results

A total of eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a diverse spectrum of chronic disease categories, including cardiovascular diseases and various types of cancer, among others. Collectively, these studies involved a participant cohort comprising 4,325 individuals. Noteworthy findings emerged, indicating a substantial association between distinct facets of humor—such as one’s sense of humor, coping humor, humor styles, and laughter—and psychological QoL. Nevertheless, the relationship between humor and physical QoL exhibited a more intricate pattern, characterized by mixed outcomes (Figure 2).

Image:

Image 2:

Conclusions

Despite the limited and inconsistent evidence across studies, humor appears to exhibit a positive association with QoL.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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