New research published in Europe’s Journal of Psychology has found connections between different types of humor and mental health. The study indicates that while benevolent humor, characterized by kind-hearted jokes and good-natured teasing, is linked to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, darker forms of humor, such as cynicism and irony, are linked to aspects of emotional distress. Over the past 40 years, the academic community has increasingly recognized humor as a crucial element in coping strategies, helping individuals to distance themselves from their problems, and thereby ...