Perfectionism and a Healthy Attitude toward Oneself: Could Humor Be a Resource?

Annamaria Di Fabio; Martin M Smith; Donald H Saklofske

doi:10.3390/ijerph17010201

Perfectionism and a Healthy Attitude toward Oneself: Could Humor Be a Resource?

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 27;17(1):201. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17010201.

Authors

Annamaria Di Fabio¹, Martin M Smith², Donald H Saklofske³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology (Psychology Section), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy.
² School of Sport, York St. John University, York YO31 7EK, UK.
³ Psychology Department, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3W2, Canada.

Abstract

In the framework of the psychology of harmonization, the present study analyzes the relationships of humor styles with perfectionism, controlling for the effects of personality traits. One hundred and forty-eight Italian university students were administered the Italian versions of the HEXACO-60, the Humor Styles Questionnaire, and the short-form version of the Big Three Perfectionism Scale. Based on hierarchical regression analyses, humor styles accounted for a significant percentage of incremental variance beyond personality traits in relation to three major perfectionism factors. Humor styles may be a promising area for further research and intervention in relation to managing issues related to perfectionism in strengths-based preventative perspectives.

Keywords: humor styles; perfectionism; psychology of harmonization; psychology of sustainability and sustainable development; strengths-based preventative perspectives; well-being.

MeSH terms

Attitude to Health*
Defense Mechanisms
Female
Humans
Male
Perfectionism*
Personality*
Self Concept
Surveys and Questionnaires
Wit and Humor as Topic*
Young Adult