A review paper published this month in Frontiers In Psychology unearthed the various reasons why swearing, often considered inappropriate and a bad habit, can be a helpful psychological coping tool. While commonly associated with anger and aggression, swearing can instead play a positive role in a person’s well-being, providing an important outlet to manage stressful events.
Here are a few reasons why swearing can be beneficial, according to the researchers.
- Pain relief. One of the most notable benefits of swearing is its hypoalgesic effect—the ability to reduce pain sensitivity or the perception of pain. A classic 2009 study found that when participants submerged their hands in icy water, those who were allowed to swear, as opposed to using neutral words, could endure the pain significantly longer.
- Emotional regulation. Expressing frustration or anger through swearing can help release built-up tension. By vocalizing intense emotions, individuals may experience a reduction in stress levels and emotional catharsis. Interestingly, a 2022 study found that multilingual individuals prefer swearing in their native language to evoke and process their emotions.
- Self-confidence. Research shows that swearing can improve performance in tasks requiring physical strength and enhance the amount of positive emotion and self-confidence a person experiences.
- Managing social rejection. A 2017 study found that swearing can also relieve “social pain,” which occurs when social bonds are threatened. Swearing can help manage feelings of rejection in these moments. While it can be offensive to some, it can also strengthen social connections, creating a sense of camaraderie, breaking the ice and adding a layer of honesty and authenticity to some social interactions.
How Much Should You Swear?
In various studies in the review, participants who swore out loud while experiencing pain reported feeling less discomfort than those who did not swear. Some chose their own swear word that felt natural and evoked a strong emotional response.
In most studies, participants being exposed to physical discomfort were asked to swear at a consistent pace and volume, which benefited their pain tolerance. For example, you could swear once per second or once every three seconds. While there is no need to shout, you can ensure your voice is loud enough to be expressive.
When it comes to understanding the optimum dosage of swearing, researchers believe that it is possible to overuse it to the point where it no longer has as powerful of an effect. It seems that a regulated use of swearing, limited to certain stressful life events or solely in the context of pain management could allow for it to remain useful.
“An experiment conducted by Philipp and Lombardo (2017), found that swearing for two minutes reduced feelings of pain; however, individuals who swore less often in their daily lives experienced a more pronounced hypoalgesic effect compared to those who swore more often. This suggests that excessive use of swearing in everyday situations diminishes its efficacy as a short-term intervention for reducing the perception of pain,” the authors explain.
It is also important to acknowledge that the appropriateness and impact of swearing can vary widely across cultures and contexts. What is acceptable in one social setting may be highly inappropriate in another. Understanding these nuances is crucial for effectively harnessing the potential benefits of swearing while minimizing its potential drawbacks.
Moreover, individual preferences and comfort levels with swearing can differ significantly, influencing how effective it is as a coping mechanism or social lubricant. This makes it crucial to use discernment when exercising this tool.
While swearing is often stigmatized and seen as a sign of poor manners or lack of control, psychological research reveals several unexpected benefits. However, context and moderation are key. So, the next time you stub your toe, you don’t necessarily have to hold back—a well-timed expletive might be just what the doctor ordered.
Swearing may ease some of life’s challenging moments. Curious how well you navigate stressful events? Take this test to learn more: Brief Resilience Scale