Forms, Functions, and Foibles of Humor Used in AIDS Service Organizations Kami A. Kosenko, PhD Lance S. Rintamaki, PhD Research has indicated that HIV service providers commonly use humor to cope with work-related stress; however, little is known about the forms and functions of humor used by these professionals. In this study, 25 HIV service providers from five AIDS service organizations were interviewed about their use of humor. Participants described five primary types of humor as prevalent within AIDS service orga- nizations and noted that humor served a variety of functions, which were either adaptive or maladaptive. Adaptive functions included boosting morale and reducing tension, whereas maladaptive functions ranged from masking emotions to alienating certain groups. Results emphasized the importance of context in the study of humor use and the need for continued investigations of the stress and coping of HIV service providers. (Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 21, 25-35) Copyright Ó 2010 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Key words: burnout, coping, HIV service providers, humor, stress Stress and burnout among HIV service providers has been a subject of interest and concern since the beginning of the epidemic (Demmer, 2002). Early studies attributed high stress levels and burnout rates in AIDS service organizations (ASOs) to the unique aspects of HIV care such as the fear of contagion and occupational exposure, stigma, loss of multiple patients, and sense of limited potency against the disease (Bellani et al., 1996). The introduction of highly effective combination antiretroviral therapies (ART) in the mid 1990s, however, dramatically changed the landscape of HIV service provision (Yal- lop, Lowth, Fitzgerald, Reid, & Morelli, 2002). Although new treatments gave providers reason to be optimistic, ART also brought new challenges, such as monitoring patient adherence to complex treatment regimens and helping patients adjust to life with a chronic illness (Demmer, 2002). As such, new treatments dramatically reduced HIV-related mortality but did little to reduce the demands of HIV care (Benevides-Pereira & Das Neves Alves, 2007). The overwhelming demands of HIV care take a toll on service providers. Burnout depletes the indi- vidual affected, leading to psychological and physical distress and, subsequently, poor functioning in the workplace. When employees suffer from burnout, organizations experience high turnover, increased Kami A. Kosenko, PhD, is assistant professor, Department of Communication, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Lance S. Rintamaki, PhD, is assistant professor, Departments of Communication and Health Behavior, State University of New York, Buffalo New York. Editors’ note: This article contains graphic language and content. JANAC’s editorial staff is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the work of all of our authors. In qualitative research, this includes input from participants who are willing to share their experiences with the researcher and—eventually—with the reader. In this article, we have honored those individuals by leaving their words intact. JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NURSES IN AIDS CARE, Vol. 21, No. 1, January–February 2010, 25-35 doi:10.1016/j.jana.2009.08.001 Copyright Ó 2010 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care