Happiness among Undergraduates: What is the Role of Humour Styles?
Chidozie Emmanuel Mabia *
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chidozie Edwin Nwafor
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Kizto Ifunanya Okonkwo
Department of Psychology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Emeka A. Nwankwo
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Paschal Kandilichukwu Officha
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Kingsley Onyibo Nweke
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Samuel Uche Ezeakabekwe
Department of Psychology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Tobias Chineze Enike
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chidiebere Udensi
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ikemefuna Henry Eweni
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hedonism theory and desire theory assumed that internal factors (humour styles) may explain happiness among undergraduates. In the current study, the assumption is tested among 226 undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Ages of the participants were 18-40 years (M= 21.66 years, SD= 3.10). Two scales were used to collect data for the study: Subjective happiness scale (SHS) and humour styles questionnaire (HSQ). The study adopted correlation design and the hypothesis was tested with multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that humour styles; affiliative humour, self-enhancing humour and self-defeating humour significantly predicted happiness while aggressive humour did not. The outcome of the study suggested for the first time a framework for understanding the role of humour styles on happiness. It was suggested that affiliative, self-enhancing and self-defeating humour styles should be encouraged and included in the University’s programs as part of general studies, routine seminars, conferences and orientations of new students.
Keywords: Happiness, humour styles: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive and self-defeating