An exploratory study of the humor advantage: clinicians self-report on use of humor in therapy

• Main Author: Williams, Crystal D.
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 2004
• Subjects: Social Work
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/441; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1988&context=dissertations

This study explored social workers’ use of humor with clients in therapy. The main objective of this study was to ascertain whether clinicians initiate humor in therapy. If, indeed humor was initiated, why, to what extent and how facilitative is the clinician’s use of humor in regards to the working-relationship, which includes the therapeutic process. This study adopted Lazarus’s Cognitive Appraisal Theory in order to determine if the use of humor aids the client in the appraisal process. The sample included 11 members from the National Association of Black Social Workers and 19 members from the Clinical Social Workers and Social Work Private Practice Yahoo! Groups Listservs. A frequency distribution and a content analysis were used for research purposes. Findings suggest that humor is indeed initiated by social workers, yet for varied reasons.