Change in humor and sarcasm use based on anxiety and depression symptom severity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Humor and sarcasm may be used as potential coping strategies during challenging times, and to improve wellbeing. We investigated changes in humor and sarcasm use during the COVID-19 pandemic in participants with varying anxiety and depression symptom severity, and in those with versus without psychiatric disorders.

Methods

Online data was collected from N = 661 Canadian adults during the height of COVID-19-related restrictions. Depression and anxiety symptom severity were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Participants were queried on current presence/absence of a psychiatric disorder, and on changes in humor and sarcasm use during compared to before the pandemic.

Results

Participants with any

SUBMITTER: Rothermich K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8675002 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature