Relationships Among Humor, Coping, Relationship Stress, and Satisfaction in Dating Relationships: Replication and Extension

Abstract

This study applies the Transactional Theory of Emotion and Coping to understand how dating partners use humor to cope with relationship stress. College students (n = 244) reported on their perceptions of humor orientation, coping efficacy, relationship stress, and relationship satisfaction. As predicted by the transactional framework, the relationship between humor orientation and relationship stress was mediated by coping efficacy, while the model provided partial support for coping efficacy as a mediator of humor orientation and relationship satisfaction. Frequent positive humor use by dating partners in long distance (n = 66) and geographically close (n = 178) relationships resulted in greater coping efficacy, reduced levels of relationship stress, and increased relationship satisfaction. Findings from this study provide support for the use of the Transactional Theory of Emotion and Coping as a means of understanding the complex relationships among humor orientation, coping, relationship stress, and relationship satisfaction.

Keywords:

• Coping
• Humor
• Relationship Satisfaction
• Stress
• Transactional Theory of Emotion and Coping

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lori E. Vela

Lori E. Vela (MA, Texas State University-San Marcos, 2009) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

Melanie Booth-Butterfield

Melanie Booth-Butterfield (PhD, University of Missouri, 1985) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

Melissa B. Wanzer

Melissa B. Wanzer (EdD, West Virginia University, 1995) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Canisius College.

Jessalyn I. Vallade

Jessalyn I. Vallade (MA, Miami University, 2010) is a PhD candidate in theDepartment of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.