The Role of Humor Usage in Mediating between Spiritual Well-being and Positive Affect among the Generation Z in CALABARZON

Humor is the tendency and ability to perceive things as funny, accompanied by a physical emotional reaction such as smiling or laughter. Humor usage described the degree of a person in utilizing humor. There has been an absence of studies that concurrently explore the mediation of humor usage (HU) on positive affect (PA) and spiritual well-being (SWB) and integrating three variables within a single framework. This study aims to: (1) describe the levels of HU, SWB, and PA; (2) determine the association among HU, SWB, and PA; and (3) determine the mediating role of HU in the relationship between SWB and PA among Generation Z individuals in the CALABARZON region. A correlational approach to test the hypotheses was anchored on Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions (Fredrickson, 2001), and Biopsychosocial Model of Well-being (Engel, 1997), wherein HU acts as a mediating factor, SWB as independent variable, and PA as dependent variable. Standardized scales were utilized on 678 respondents, and JAMOVI was employed for multiple correlation and mediation analysis. HU as a mediator significantly strengthens the relationship between SWB and PA. To conclude, the interplay of the variables affirmed that having a healthy HU could lead to an individual’s subjective sense of fulfillment in one’s spiritual life, which in turn would lead to more prosocial behaviors. As future direction, the results can be used in developing programs and intervention tailor-fit to the context and characteristics of this generation.