Development and initial validation of the Meta-Inner Humor Beliefs Scale (MIHBS) to assess adaptive and maladaptive responses to repetitive negative thoughts

The present study conducted a process-level assessment of humor-based metacognitive beliefs regarding responses to repetitive negative thoughts, conceptualized as a potential contextual moderator in the relationship between repetitive negative thoughts and emotional distress. Consequently, the Meta-Inner Humor Beliefs Scale (MIHBS) was developed and evaluated through a comprehensive psychometric examination among two large samples (Sample 1 = 1481, females = 60.3%, mean age = 32.60 years [SD = 10.16]; Sample 2 = 1000, females = 57.9%, mean age = 32.65 years [SD = 9.71]) of an Iranian population. The MIHBS demonstrated the expected two-factor structure (adaptive and maladaptive humor meta-beliefs) with an adequate factor structure, measurement invariance, reliability, and validity (divergent, convergent, and incremental). The MIHBS was associated with demographic features, such as systematic stressors (e.g., income and occupational status), as well as relational and educational resources. MIHBS scores differed modestly acros​s several demographic groups, including educational, occupational, marital, and income categories. Additionally, adaptive humor beliefs were associated with lower depression and stress, and higher life satisfaction and mindfulness. In contrast, maladaptive humor beliefs were associated with higher mental distress and lower mindfulness, but were not significantly associated with life satisfaction. Overall, the findings support the MIHBS as a theoretically grounded process-focused measure of humor-related metacognitive beliefs that may influence the functional impact of repetitive negative thinking. Within process-based therapy frameworks, the scale offers potential value for assessing defusion-related processes, guiding case formulation, and monitoring treatment mechanisms in humor-integrated interventions.