The results of numerous empirical studies, which ave examined in this artic
le, indicate that, in general, humor can beneficially influence mental heal
th. Specifically, it has been observed that humor as a response (e.g., laug
hter) is associated with a reduction in some existing mental health problem
s, whereas humor as a psychological process (sense of humor) appears to mod
erate the perceived intensity of negative life events. Several suggestions
are provided about how these different kinds of humor might occasion their
effects. A number of issues are also identified that warrant further empiri
cal examination. These include whether, and if so how, the relationships be
tween humor and mental health are affected by individual difference variabl
es, (e.g., personality, gender, extent of actual effect of negative life ev
ents, degree of appreciation of humorous experimental stimuli); how much ea
ch of the above mentioned types of humor contribute to effects observed in
any given situation; how the relationships in question are affected by diff
erent kinds of humorous stimuli; and various aspects of the broader experim
ental context.