Humour styles influence the perceived valence, humour, and beneficial use of depressive internet memes in depression

Abstract Previous research highlights the potential benefits of engaging with depressive internet memes for those experiencing symptoms of depression, a phenomenon that can be explained in part by the humorous interpretation of depressive stimuli and a perceived sense of social support through the normalisation of depressive symptoms. This study examined whether individuals experiencing significant depressive symptoms would differ from controls in their interpretation of internet memes related to depression, whilst incorporating the mediating role of humour style. N = 78 individuals with self-reported depressive symptoms (indicating ≥24 on the CES-D) and 67 controls (indicating ≤23) rated the emotional valance, humour, relatability, shareability, and mood improving potential of 32 depressive and control internet memes (depicting general neutral or positive social commentaries). Measures of depression and humour style were also completed. The perception of humour, relatability, shareability and mood improving potential of depressive, but not control, memes were all greater amongst individuals with symptoms of depression relative to controls. However, for ratings of humour, relatability and mood improving potential, these differences were mediated by the extent of ones self-defeating humour style. These outcomes further evidence benefits of engaging with depressive internet memes for those with depression.