The Effects of Humorous Posts on Twitter during a Time of Uncertainty: The Case of Kuwait during the Coronavirus Pandemic

• Published in: The Southern communication journal Vol. 87; no. 3; pp. 262 - 276
• Main Authors: Dashti, Ali A, Murad, Husain A, Alkandari, Ali A, Dashti, Ahmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Memphis Routledge 27-05-2022; Southern States Communication Association
• Subjects: awareness of the coronavirus pandemic; Emotions; groups' social hatred; Humor; Humorous post; negative emotional reactions; Polls & surveys; Social media; twitter; uncertain times; Uncertainty
• ISSN: 1041-794X; 1930-3203
• DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2022.2055132

This study examines the effects of humorous posts on Twitter during an uncertain time, such as the Coronavirus pandemic, which brought panic globally. In Kuwait, many Twitter users have posted humorous tweets about the Coronavirus to influence the public's understanding of the pandemic and exert pressure on government to take measures to stop the spread of the disease. However, the impact of many of humorous tweets was indirect and negative, causing panic and division among social groups. An online survey was employed to examine the effects of humorous Twitter messages on understanding the pandemic, causing hatred toward others and augmenting a sense of negative emotion in society. The response of 1,031 to the survey indicated that humor increased negative emotional reactions and increased understanding of the pandemic. There was no link between Twitter humor and hatred of others. The influence of humor during times of uncertainty and crises is discussed.