Mindfulness and Humor Styles as Predictors of Personal Growth Initiative in Undergraduate University Students of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Aim of the Study: This study examined mindfulness and humor styles as correlates and predictors of personal growth initiative (PGI) in undergraduate university students of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methodology: Purposive sampling strategy was used to obtain data from 300 students (150 = men; 150 = women) between the age range of 18 and 22 years in five different public and private universities in Lahore. Demographic sheet, Trait Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003), Humor Styles Questionnaire (Martin et al., 2003), and the Personal Growth Initiative II Scale (Robitschek et al., 2012) were used to measure the variables.

Findings: The results identified a significant positive relationship of mindfulness and adaptive humor styles (self-enhancing humor and affiliative humor) with PGI in undergraduate university students. Maladaptive humor styles (self-defeating humor and aggressive humor) had a significant negative relationship with PGI in undergraduate university students. Mindfulness and humor styles significantly predicted dimensions of PGI in undergraduate university students.

Conclusion: The findings provide further evidence for mindfulness and adaptive humor styles as an important resource for PGI.