Assessing Gelotophobia, Gelotophilia, and Katagelasticism in Children: An Initial Study on How Six to Nine-Year-Olds Deal with Laughter and Ridicule and How This Relates to Bullying and Victimization

作者：Proyer Rene T^*; Neukom Monica; Platt Tracey; Ruch Willibald

来源：Child Indicators Research, 2012, 5(2): 297-316.

DOI：10.1007/s12187-011-9127-1

• Bullying
• Gelotophobia
• Gelotophilia
• Humor
• Katagelasticism
• Laughter
• Victimization

The study describes the development and initial assessment of a questionnaire for the assessment of the fear of being laughed at (gelotophobia), the joy in being laughed at (gelotophilia), and the joy in laughing at others (katagelasticism) in a sample of 386 six to 9 year olds. The 30-item measure (PhoPhiKat-30c) demonstrated a robust three-factor structure and satisfactory internal consistency (all a parts per thousand yen.68). An evaluation of the answering pattern of the children revealed that for between one third and half of the children fear of being laughed at seemed to be a concern for them. In self and teacher-reports, gelotophobia was related to victim-status and katagelasticism to bully-status. This initial study enables research in three dispositions towards ridicule and being laughed at in younger children. This closes a gap in the literature and should provide a better understanding on the role of laughter and ridicule in children.

• 出版日期2012-6