Using playfulness to cope with psychological stress: taking into account both positive and negative emotions: Po-Ju Chang, Xinyi Qian and Careen Yarnal

Playfulness is viewed as engaging in a voluntary leisure activity and/or choosing non-serious behaviors just for fun, enjoyment, satisfaction, involvement, and pleasure (Chick, Yarnal, & Purrington, 2012; Glynn & Webster, 1992; Starbuck & Webster, 1991). Previous research has documented links between playfulness and life satisfaction (Mattei & Schaefer, 2004) as well as between playfulness and positive emotions (PEs) (Qian & Yarnal, 2011). There is also a growing body of literature that links playfulness to stress coping (Harkness & Bundy, 2001; Yarnal & Qian, 2011). In general, playfulness may help people cope with stress and contribute to their life satisfaction.