We thank Laksmiina Balasubramaniam and Ariana Youm for their assistance with data collection. We also thank Joanne Wood, Brett Q. Ford, Geoff MacDonald, and Emily Impett for their helpful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Although past research has shown that social comparisons made through social media contribute to negative outcomes, little is known about the nature of these comparisons (domains, direction, and extremity), variables that determine comparison outcomes (post valence, perceiver’s self-esteem), and how these comparisons differ from those made in other contexts (e.g., text messages, face-to-face interactions). In four studies (N=798), we provide the first comprehensive analysis of how individuals make and respond to social comparisons on social media, using comparisons made in real-time while browsing news feeds (Study 1), experimenter-generated comparisons (Study 2), and comparisons made on social media vs. in other contexts (Studies 3-4). More frequent and more extreme upward comparisons resulted in immediate declines in self-evaluations as well as cumulative negative effects on individuals’ state self-esteem, mood, and life satisfaction after a social media browsing session. Moreover, downward and lateral comparisons occurred less frequently and did little to mitigate upward comparisons’ negative effects. Furthermore, low self-esteem individuals were particularly vulnerable to making more frequent and more extreme upward comparisons on social media, which in turn threatened their already-lower self-evaluations. Finally, social media comparisons resulted in greater declines in self-evaluation than those made in other contexts. Together, these studies provide the first insights into the cumulative impact of multiple comparisons, clarify the role of self-esteem in online comparison processes, and demonstrate how the characteristics and impact of comparisons on social media differ from those made in other contexts.

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Purpose: This paper discusses the experiences of a group of ten user and carer researchers from mental health and learning disability services who worked together in a research and evaluation project between 2009 and 2012. The research project aimed to identify changes that took place as over 300 people moved from hostel accommodation into independent tenancies in flats and bungalows. These moves were part of a three year project involving a partnership between a local authority and a housing association.Design / approach: The paper describes the process of involving user and carers in the research process, identifying the challenges and benefits of involving users and carers. The ways in which people were trained and supported to take part and stay involved are outlined, as well as how the group felt they learnt new skills and increased their confidence.Findings: User involvement in research can mean different things with different levels of involvement, from consultation through to user-controlled research. The collaborative study had a range of benefits for the lives of the co-researchers, as well as contributing to the development of a new independent living service. A number of factors contribute to the success of user involvement in research and these are listed.Originality / value: This paper adds the voices of the co-researchers to the literature and provides 'lessons learned' for other researchers in this area. Keywords:User involvement, research and evaluation, learning disability, mental health, independent living, housing, social inclusion. Article Classification: Case Study IntroductionThis paper describes the experiences of a group of ten user and carer researchers from mental health and learning disability services who collaborated in a research and evaluation project. The project aimed to identify changes that took place as over 300 people moved from hostel accommodation into independent tenancies in flats. These moves were part of a three year project involving a partnership between Progress Care Housing Association and Leeds City Council Adult Social Care Department.The plan to evaluate the move from hostel accommodation to people having their own flats/bungalows and tenancies was discussed at a number of meetings of hostel tenants. People were particularly interested to find out if moving out of a hostel improved social inclusion and helped people to feel more involved in the local community. Progress Care Housing Association led a bid for funding from the Big Lottery. This was successful and a research management group was set up including people from Progress Care, Leeds City Council and Leeds Metropolitan University. First of all three staff were recruited to work on the project, a senior researcher, a research officer and a part-time administrator. They were employed by Progress Care but based at the university and supervised by a university researcher involved in the original bid and who had relevant research and practice experience.User and carer involvement in the evaluation was recogni...

Although past research has shown that social comparisons made through social media contributeto negative outcomes, little is known about the nature of these comparisons (domains, direction, and extremity), variables that determine comparison outcomes (post valence, perceiver’s self- esteem), and how these comparisons differ from those made in other contexts (e.g., text messages, face-to-face interactions). In four studies (N=798), we provide the first comprehensive analysis of how individuals make and respond to social comparisons on social media, using comparisons made in real-time while browsing news feeds (Study 1), experimenter- generated comparisons (Study 2), and comparisons made on social media vs. in other contexts (Studies 3-4). More frequent and more extreme upward comparisons resulted in immediate declines in self-evaluations as well as cumulative negative effects on individuals’ state self- esteem, mood, and life satisfaction after a social media browsing session. Moreover, downward and lateral comparisons occurred less frequently and did little to mitigate upward comparisons’ negative effects. Furthermore, low self-esteem individuals were particularly vulnerable to making more frequent and more extreme upward comparisons on social media, which in turn threatened their already-lower self-evaluations. Finally, social media comparisons resulted in greater declines in self-evaluation than those made in other contexts. Together, these studies provide the first insights into the cumulative impact of multiple comparisons, clarify the role of self-esteem in online comparison processes, and demonstrate how the characteristics and impact of comparisons on social media differ from those made in other contexts.