Psychological aspects of humor associated with suicide risk. The use of humor in psychosocial therapy of depressive disorders

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Govorov SA, Semenova ND, Ivanova EM. [Psychological aspects of humor associated with suicide risk. The use of humor in psychosocial therapy of depressive disorders]. Rossiiskii psikhiatricheskii zhurnal [Russian Journal of Psychiatry]. 2023;(3):58-67. Russian

Abstract

The scientific review presents an analysis of current scientific research devoted to studying the psychological characteristics of humor associated with suicide risk and the specifics of suicide humor. Suicidal ideation is accompanied by certain changes in the sense of humor: interest in humor about depression and suicide increases and the proportion of affiliative and self-enhancing humor decreases. The role of suicide humor in the communication process of persons with suicide risk is analyzed: possibilities of its adverse or beneficial effect on depressive symptoms are discussed. Existing practices of using laughter and humor as part of psychosocial therapy of mental disorders are described, particularly the Canadian program “Standup for Mental Health” and the Japanese Morita Therapy.

Keywords sense of humor; suicide humor; dark humor; suicide; depression; psychosocial therapy; “Standup for Mental Health”; Morita therapy

References

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