Are Humor Styles of People With Dementia Linked to Greater Purpose in Life?

Objectives: Little is known about humor and purpose in life in people with dementia. Although having a sense of humor is typically associated with positive psychological outcomes, recent evidence suggests that outcomes may vary depending on whether the humor being used is adaptive versus maladaptive. The goal of this study was to determine whether humor styles are predictive of purpose in life in people with dementia.

Methods: Questionnaires were verbally administered to people with mild-to-moderate dementia to measure humor styles and purpose in life.

Results: Adaptive humor styles were associated with purpose in life whereas maladaptive humor styles were not.

Discussion: Having a sense of humor in dementia may be associated with a stronger sense of purpose in life, but it depends on the type of humor used. Results are discussed in the context of understanding the role of humor in the daily lives of people with dementia and implications for care.