Cite as (APA style): Marchenko, N. (2026). Humor as a therapeutic tool in times of war. The Global Psychotherapist, 6(2), 284-288.
Abstract: Faced with the realities of today and despite technological advancements, war remains an integral part of our existence. In their quest to find meaning in living here and now, people seek accessible tools that can help them reduce stress and find inner peace. One of the tools of positive psychotherapy is humor, which is used by both professionals and people in their daily lives. The purpose of this article is to explore how people use humor while living under constant stress, as well as to demonstrate how it can be effectively utilized in clinical work with clients in conflict zones. The study is based on an analysis of open-source data on countries that have faced military conflict and on practical experience gained through informal interviews with mental health professionals working in wartime conditions. The article explores the idea that humor has been studied and used as a coping mechanism in complex and often uncontrollable circumstances for centuries. The study revealed an interesting pattern: the more absurd the external circumstances, the more sarcastic and ironic the humor becomes.
Keywords: humor, transcultural tool, psychotherapy in wartime, Positive Psychotherapy