Linear Models To prepare for Phase II structural equation modeling (SEM), we conducted hierarchical linear regression using backwards step-wise selection (α =.1) for Coping Humor (CHS) and Playfulness (PLAY). Coping Humor Scale: Final Model CHS =.10 * PLAY +.47 * HSQSE +.13 * HSQSD * SATM o This is the most parsimonious model for CHS, and it accounts for 61% of the variation. Playfulness: Final Model PLAY =.67 * ADD +.29 * THRILL +.68 * CHS +.33 * HSQAF +.42 * HSQSE * GEN o This is the most parsimonious model for PLAY, and it accounts for 42% of the variation. Discussion Primary humor styles were found to correlate with playfulness and coping humor, and significant differences based upon primary humor styles were found for gender, age, toxic (naïve) relationship beliefs, optimism, and self-esteem. The revised version of the playfulness scale was found to be an improvement, though further development is needed. Acknowledgements This research was part of the Undergraduate Statistics Research Seminar (MATH 3390) and was supported by the UNG Mathematics Department and supervised by Dr. Robb Sinn. Bibliography Düşünceli, B. (2011). The effect of humor styles on psychopathology: Examination with structural equation model. International Journal of Academic Research, 3(5), Edwards, K. R., & Martin, R. A. (2010). Humor creation ability and mental health: Are funny people more psychologically healthy? Europe's Journal of Psychology,, Freeman, G. P., & Ventis, W. L. (2010). Does humor benefit health in retirement? exploring humor as a moderator. Europe's Journal of Psychology,, Kazarian, S. S., & Martin, R. A. (2006). Humor styles, culture-related personality, well-being, and family adjustment among Armenians in Lebanon. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 19(4), Maxwell, S., Reed, G., Saker, J., & Story, V. (2005). The two faces of playfulness: A new tool to select potentially successful sales reps. Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management, 25(3), Saroglou, V., & Scariot, C. (2002). Humor styles questionnaire: Personality and educational correlates in Belgian high school and college students. European Journal of Personality, 16(1), Schaefer, C., & Greenberg, R. (1997). Measurement of playfulness: A neglected therapist variable. International Journal of Play Therapy, 6(2), Humor, Laughter, and Playfulness Paran Fisch, Katelyn Pitts, Samantha Duchscherer, Denver Coker, Georgianna Campbell Abstract Structural equation modeling (SEM) will be used to develop an understanding of the relationship between Coping Humor, Humor Styles, Playfulness and other personality variables such as Stress, Anxiety, Optimism and Thrill-seeking. Phase I focused on the reliability and factor structure of the Coping Humor Scale (CHS), the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and the Playfulness Scale for Adults (PSA). Reliability analyses were conducted along with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the CHS and HSQ. Apparent problems with HSQ items were noted. The PSA was outdated. Items asked about the Three Stooges and Star Trek and used odd wording better suited to college students of 1980’s. The PSA items were reviewed with an attempt to update each item. The PSA-Revised was developed and its factor structure explored using Principle Components Analysis with Varimax rotation. Assessment of sampling adequacy (KMO) and scale usefulness (VIF) eliminated some problematic items, as did a lack of interpretability in the factors extracted. Gender differences and age differences were explored focusing on all three scales, and correlations tested between scales, factors and other personality variables. Phase II will continue the revision of the PSA-R and confirm Phase I results. This poster presents Phase I results only. Description of Variables Playfulness Scale for Adults (PLAY): A 28-item scale that measures a general predisposition to play. This scale consists of five factors: Fun-loving, Sense of humor, Enjoys silliness, Informal, and Whimsical. Coping Humor Scale (CHS): The CHS consists of 7 items, each of which is a self-descriptive statement about the use of humor in coping with life stress. : Humor Styles: Affiliative humor (HSQAF)- the style of humor used to enhance one’s relationships with others in a benevolent, positive manner. Individuals high in this dimension often use humor as a way to charm and amuse others, ease tension among others, and improve relationships. Self-enhancing humor (HSQSE)- a style of humor related to having a good-natured attitude toward life, having the ability to laugh at yourself, your circumstances and the idiosyncrasies of life in a constructive, non-detrimental manner. Aggressive humor (HSQAG)- a style of humor that is potentially detrimental towards others. This type of humor is characterized by the use of sarcasm, put-downs, teasing, criticism, ridicule, and other types of humor used at the expense of others. Self-defeating humor (HSQSD)- the style of humor characterized by the use of potentially detrimental humor towards the self in order to gain approval from others. Individuals high in this dimension engage in self-disparaging humor in which laughter is often at their own expense. T-Test Results Males use significantly more aggressive humor than females (p =.0331). Those students who are 21 years or older use significantly less aggressive humor (p =.0071) and significantly less self- defeating humor (p =.0042). No other gender or age differences were found for the four humor styles. Factor Extraction for PLAY We conducted a principal components extraction using Varimax rotation. We verified sampling adequacy (KMO, VIF) and performed reliability analyses on the overall scale (Ω T ) and subscales (Cronbach’s α). We discarded weak items, combined two subscales, and found six interpretable factors. Factor Loading Matrix for Playfulness Scale for Adults - Revised (PSA-R) Humor Styles ANOVA’s We searched for humor style differences for self-esteem, optimism, perfectionism, toxic relationship beliefs, narcissism, eating attitudes, ADD, and OCD. Significant differences were found for toxic relationship beliefs, optimism, and self-esteem. Toxic Relationship Beliefs ANOVA Table: Toxic Relationship Beliefs by Humor Style ANOVA Summary Table: Toxic Relationship Beliefs by Humor Style *Significantly greater than the three other styles (Tukey’s HSD). Those with a Self-defeating primary humor style are more naïve about relationships. Optimism A significant difference was found for optimism (F = 7.428, p = ). A Tukey HSD post hoc analysis shows a significant pair-wise difference between Self-enhancing and Aggressive (p =.0004) as well as Self-enhancing and Self-defeating (p =.0007). Those with a Self-Enhancing primary humor style are significantly more optimistic. Self-Esteem A significant difference was found for self-esteem (F = 3.474, p =.0172). A Tukey HSD post hoc analysis shows that Self-enhancing is significantly greater than the three other styles (p <.05). Those with a Self- enhancing primary humor style have higher self-esteem.