Laughing Through Stress: Pathways from Humour Styles to Stress Management via Coping Strategies

Abstract

This study explores the role of humour styles in stress management through coping strategies, with gender as a moderator in a Pakistani and Islamic context. Using a mixed-methods approach and drawing on the transactional model of stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), four hypotheses were tested. Findings showed that humour style did not significantly predict coping strategies (β = .12, p = .124) and explained only 1.5% of the variance, so Hypothesis 1 was not supported. Coping strategies were significantly associated with lower stress among women (r = -.20, p = .030), supporting Hypothesis 2, Humour also had no direct effect on stress (β = .02, p = .793). Hypothesis 3 was partially supported, as coping strategies emerged as the main mechanism influencing stress. Gender differences were evident: women reported higher stress but benefited more from coping strategies, while men showed lower stress but less consistent coping. Thus, Hypothesis 4 was partially supported. Qualitative findings revealed that humour serves as a collective coping tool in Pakistani families and communities. Participants also emphasized that, within an Islamic framework, humour is most beneficial when combined with spiritual resilience and patience (Sabr). Overall, humour alone does not reduce stress directly but enhances coping processes. Effective stress-management interventions should therefore integrate humour within broader, culturally sensitive, and gender-responsive coping frameworks.