The moderating effect of humor style on the relationship between interpersonal predictors of suicide and suicidal ideation

This study investigated how positive and negative humor styles relate to suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Analyses indicated that affiliative and self-defeating humor style moderated the relationships between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation as well as perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation when controlling for depression. The clinical importance of assessing and tracking humor styles as potential coping mechanisms against suicidal thinking is discussed.

► Affiliative and self-enhancing humor style are protective against suicidal ideation.
► Aggressive and self-defeating humor relates to higher levels of suicidal ideation.
► Affiliative humor style buffers against interpersonal suicide risk.
► Self-defeating humor style exacerbates interpersonal suicide risk.