What is it about?

This article explores the meaning of positive psychology and the importance it has on the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It focuses on positive psychology interventions that help to develop humour and considers how the uplifting effect of humour can be experienced through contemporary use in the field of mental health nursing. This article will connect theories of humour that link to wellbeing. It introduces the concept of positive psychology and its links with humour. Finally, it follows with the application of humour within the nursing context.

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Why is it important?

Exploring some theories surrounding humour is important as a response to improved psychological wellbeing. It would appear to strengthen human thriving with many mental health benefits, especially as a buffer to mental health nurses’ stress. Mental health nurses have an intuitive understanding surrounding humour for themselves, their colleagues and their patients. In exploring this in more detail, it may give rise to further reflection on how to increase self-awareness of its value.

Perspectives

In relation to positive psychology, humour is viewed as one character strength that is essential to the flourishing and thriving of humankind. Research shows that humour is commonly used by mental health nurses as a coping mechanism to help relieve stress. Despite research indicating that humour is a consistent trait in mental health nurses and healthcare workers, there are limited studies identifying the type of humour most commonly used by them and which type of humour is most effective at relieving stress. The research base for mental health nurses using humour and understanding how to use it is growing, so I believe that it is essential to consider how it can be reliably integrated into the work setting to improve wellbeing.

Mrs Jan Macfarlane
University of Bolton

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This page is a summary of: Positive psychology: humour and its role within mental health nursing, British Journal of Mental Health Nursing, August 2021, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjmh.2021.0012.
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