|
Coping
Humor Scale (CHS) |
|
| Authors |
Rod A. Martin & Herbert M. Lefcourt |
| Category |
Self-report scale |
| Description |
The
CHS consists of 7 items, each of which is a self-descriptive statement
about the use of humor in coping with life stress. Respondents rate the
degree to which each statement describes them on a scale from 1 (strongly
disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Sample items: I usually look for something
comical to say when I am in tense situations, and It has been my experience
that humor is often a very effective way of coping with problems.
|
| Number
of Items |
7 items |
| Measures |
Coping humor |
| Population |
Adults and adolescents |
|
Applications |
The CHS has been used in research on the use of humor in coping with stress and the association between sense of humor and both mental and physical health. (Note, however, that the Self-enhancing Humor scale of the Humor Styles Questionnaire measures essentially the same construct as the CHS, and has better reliability. Note: The first author indicates that the newer Humor Styles Questionnaire taps the same construct as the CHS and provides better reliability. For this reason, the HSQ is the preferred over the CHS. |
| Time |
5 minutes |
| Availability |
Contact Rod Martin at ramartin@uwo.ca. |
| Validity
& Reliability Information |
Internal consistencies
of .60 to .70. Evidence of validity includes significant correlations
with peer ratings of humor, rated funniness of humorous monologues created
in stressful situations, and scores on other self-report measures of humor,
self-esteem, psychological well-being, coping, etc. |
| Reference
Articles |
Martin, R. A. (1996). The Situational Humor Response Questionnaire (SHRQ) and Coping Humor Scale (CHS): A decade of research findings. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 9, 251-272. Martin, R. A., & Lefcourt, H. M. (1983). Sense of humor as a moderator of the relation between stressors and moods. Journal of Social and Personality Psychology, 45, 1313-1324. |
| Online
Materials |
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