Exploring Individual Differences in the Use and Endorsement of Dark Comic Styles: A Systematic Review of Comic Style Markers (CSM) Studies

Dark humour has often been studied either as a broad construct or through the two darker humour styles identified by Martin et al. (2003). Previous reviews have synthesised findings using the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ), yet no review has focused on the more fine-grained Comic Style Markers (CSM), the only standardised tool that distinguishes four dark comic styles: sarcasm, cynicism, irony, and satire. The present systematic review addresses this gap by synthesising findings from 21 empirical studies identified through Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed. The review aims to clarify how these four dark styles relate to individual differences, including personality traits, well-being, and demographic factors, and to examine whether dark humour should be regarded solely as a marker of antagonism or whether certain forms also reflect more adaptive qualities. Across studies, sarcasm and cynicism were most consistently associated with socially aversive traits, lower agreeableness, and poorer well-being outcomes, while irony showed mixed associations, at times linked to anxiety and negative affect but also to insight and meaning. Satire appeared more contextually flexible, sometimes relating to interpersonal or intellectual strengths. Demographic patterns indicated higher endorsement of dark styles among men, younger adults, and those with more critical or non-traditional worldviews, while little evidence was found for links with intelligence or resilience. Overall, the findings suggest that dark humour is a psychologically meaningful but diverse construct: certain styles align with antagonism or distress, whereas others may reflect creativity, critical reflection, or adaptive coping. These results highlight the importance of moving beyond broad definitions of dark humour to examine its distinct forms, with implications for personality research, well-being, and how people engage with dark comedy in contemporary culture.