How long does this quiz take?

It takes about 1-2 minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz tell me if my humor is healthy?

Yes, this test specifically measures 'self-enhancing' humor, which is considered an adaptive and healthy psychological coping mechanism associated with high emotional well-being.

Can I use these results to improve my mental health?

Absolutely. Recognizing your ability to use humor for emotional regulation can help you intentionally cultivate this skill to better manage stress and anxiety.

Discover if you possess the resilience to laugh at life's absurdities and maintain a positive perspective even when things go wrong.

Self-Enhancing Humor Test

Is your humor style supporting your mental health?

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: February 16, 2026

Reviewed by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

This assessment is designed to measure your tendency to use self-enhancing humor, a healthy coping style where you maintain a humorous perspective on life to regulate your emotions and manage stress. Unlike other forms of humor, this style focuses on internal resilience and finding the "silver lining" without the need to disparage others or yourself. Understanding your humor style is a key component of emotional intelligence. To explore other aspects of your personality and coping mechanisms, you might also be interested in our Affiliative Humor Style Scale or the Brief Resilience Scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: It takes about 1-2 minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Self-Enhancing Humor Test answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Self-Enhancing Humor Test results may have changed.
Will this quiz tell me if my humor is healthy?: Yes, this test specifically measures 'self-enhancing' humor, which is considered an adaptive and healthy psychological coping mechanism associated with high emotional well-being.
Can I use these results to improve my mental health?: Absolutely. Recognizing your ability to use humor for emotional regulation can help you intentionally cultivate this skill to better manage stress and anxiety.

Self-Enhancing Humor Scale: Take The Test

Step 1: Rate Your Humor Habits

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. My sense of humor usually remains intact even when I am feeling sad or agitated.

2. I am usually able to lift my spirits with humor when I'm feeling down.

3. I often find the oddities of life amusing, even when I am alone.

4. When I'm upset, I typically look for a humorous angle in the situation to improve my mood.

5. My ability to see the funny side of things prevents me from becoming too distressed.

6. If I'm alone and feeling low, I actively try to think of something funny to brighten my mood.

7. I find that using humor is an effective way for me to cope with problems.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Self-Enhancing Humor Test Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Martin, R. A., Puhlik-Doris, P., Larsen, G., Gray, J., & Weir, K. (2003). Individual differences in uses of humor and their relation to psychological well-being: Development of the Humor Styles Questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality, 37(1), 48–75.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.