Talking to friends: Quality of the conversations, laughter, and wellbeing in students of Latinx and European Heritage

Abstract

In this investigation we extend and replicate previous findings from Author and colleagues (2019) that mothers of Latinx heritage laugh more than mothers of European heritage during their interactions, especially when they have conversations of quality. The authors argued that having conversations of quality may contribute to Latinx’s overall wellbeing. The current study aimed to empirically test this idea. Specifically, we expand upon previous findings by answering the questions: Does a higher proportion of Latinx’s laughter reflect a higher subjective wellbeing? Is there a relation between the quality of Latinx’ conversations and subjective wellbeing? Students of Latinx heritage (SLH: N = 31) and a comparison group of students of European heritage (SEH: N = 43) wore the LENA digital recorder for two days. Laughter and the quality of conversations (substantive vs. small talk) with friends were identified from the recordings. Participants reported their levels of satisfaction with life and depressive symptoms. No statistically significant association was found between laughter and subjective wellbeing for either group. Furthermore, for SEH, having proportionally more small talk with friends was associated with better wellbeing, whereas, for SLH, small talk with friends was negatively associated with wellbeing. Our study replicated previous findings that having substantive conversations with friends mediate the association between being Latinx and laughter, such that having more substantive conversations with friends led to more laughter. Finally, no differences in ethnicity were found for wellbeing. Findings are discussed through the lens of cultural frameworks.