Study title

Gelotophobia, Burnout and Workplace Bullying 2007

Dataset ID Number

FSD3257

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3257
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3257

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Kerkkänen, Paavo

Abstract

The survey charted the prevalence of gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at, in Finland and its connection to burnout. The survey is part of a larger multi-national study involving 73 countries. The survey utilises many scales developed for measuring humour and burnout. The scales include the Malach-Pines Burnout Measure (BMS), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS), Coping Humor Styles Questionnaire (CHS), Findlay-Kaufman MSHS humor coping scale, Humor Styles Questionnaire - Aggressive Humor (HSQ - agg) and Findlay-Kaufman MSHS hostile humor scale.

First, the respondents were asked to assess their usual behaviour and attitudes in many different situations where an individual could feel they are being laughed at. The statements presented in the survey charted, for example, whether the respondents got suspicious when others laughed in their presence, did not hold eye contact because of fear of being disparagingly assessed, felt paralyzed when others made joking remarks about them, or avoided a place where they had made an embarrassing impression. Coping with humour was examined with questions relating to, for example, whether the respondents often lost their sense of humour when having problems, looked for something comical to say in tense situations, or used humour to express their feelings. The respondents were also presented with statements concerning aggressive and hostile humour (e.g. whether they used humour to bully and humiliate people they didn't like or used derisive humour to protect themselves from criticism).

Next, the prevalence of different negative emotions in the respondents' everyday life was examined by asking questions on feelings of tiredness and hopelessness (e.g. whether they felt tired, disappointed with people, trapped or depressed). Some questions also surveyed whether the respondents had been the target of mental abuse or bullying. Finally, the prevalence of certain emotions and thoughts connected to work and work days was surveyed. Questions focused on, for example, whether the respondents felt emotionally drained from their work, thought they were good at their job or doubted the significance of their work.

Background variables included the respondent's age, gender, marital status and occupational status, which indicates whether the respondent is in paid employment or not (in paid employment, unemployed, student, pensioner).

Keywords

bullying; emotional states; fatigue (physiology); fear; human behaviour; phobias; workplace bullying

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Social behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social conditions and indicators (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (A) openly available for all users without registration (CC BY 4.0).

Data Collector

• Kerkkänen, Paavo

Time Period Covered

2007

Collection Dates

2007-02-22 – 2007-03-31

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Students, working people and pensioners residing in Finland (excluding the Åland Islands)

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Purposive

The survey was sent to students studying the same field in an educational institution in Eastern Finland and to employees of one state establishment. Additionally, the data were supplemented with the researcher's own contacts. In the invitation to participate in the research, the recipients were asked to pass on the questionnaire to be filled out by another person over 18 years old, such as their friend or spouse, in addition to filling it themselves.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Kerkkänen, Paavo: Gelotophobia, Burnout and Workplace Bullying 2007 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2019-10-14). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3257

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Proyer, René T. et al. (2009). Breaking ground in cross-cultural research on the fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia): A multi-national study involving 73 countries. Humor 22:1-2, 253-279. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/HUMR.2009.012