Humor, Laughter Makes You a Better Parent, Have Better Relationships With Your Children: Study Reveals

Parents who use humor and laughter as a tool could foster better relationships with their children, according to a new study. 

New findings from a study conducted by Penn State University researchers and published in the journal PLOS One noted those who use humor as a parenting tool are more likely to have a long-lasting relationship with their children. 

"Humor can teach people cognitive flexibility, relieve stress, and promote creative problem solving and resilience," according to Benjamin Levi, a professor of pediatrics and humanities at Penn State College of Medicine and the lead author of the July study, said in a release. 

Humor: An Effective Parenting Tool

Additionally, the study found that among parents who use humor as a parenting tool, 50.5% said they had a good relationship with their own parents and 44.2% viewed the way they were parented in a positive light. 

In contrast, only 2.9% of those whose parents did not use humor said they had a good relationship with their parents and only 3.6% viewed the way they were parents in a positive light. 

Furthermore, the researchers noted that majority of parents surveyed said they would use humor with their children, adding that they believe it has "more potential benefit than harm."

"My hope is that people can learn to use humor as an effective parenting tool, not only to diffuse tension but develop resilience and cognitive and emotional flexibility in themselves and model it for their children," Levi added. 

The research, which involved 312 people between the ages of 18 and 45, is the first that formally studied the use of humor in parenting, the researchers noted. 

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What Do Other Studies Say?

While no other research has explored the effect of humor on parent-child relationships, a separate survey of 2,000 mothers and fathers with children under the age of 6 found that 92% of adults believe playing with their children can significantly contribute to their overall growth and development. 

A June 26 poll that was conducted in honor of the "National Day of Joy" also found that 58% of Americans age 40 and older called their mother and father their best friend. That same poll found that adult kids prefer spending quality time with their parents that people from their own generation. 

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