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Wilson, Justin E.; Gil, Karen M.; Raezer, Lauren B.

doi:10.1023/a:1021984310786

Cited by 21 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…In contrast, upward comparisons (when others are better off) can produce negative feelings such as anger or frustration (Buunk, Collins, Taylor, VanYperen, & Dakof, 1990). In an empirical study, Wilson, Gil, & Raezer (1997) also showed among African American adults with sickle cell disease (n = 47; average age was 34, SD = 9.45, ranging from 18 to 51 years) that more frequent upward comparisons were associated with increased negative thoughts. Furthermore, as stated by Arigo et al (2014) health comparisons can also influence self-care.…”

Section: What Does This Study Add?mentioning

confidence: 97%

The role of optimism, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy in moderating the relation between health comparisons and subjective well‐being: Results of a nationally representative longitudinal study among older adults

Hajek

König

2019

British J Health Psychol

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Objectives It has been shown that negative health comparisons (i.e., when one's health is viewed as worse than the health of relevant others) are associated with subjective well‐being (SWB). However, it remains an open question whether negative consequences of health comparisons on SWB might be attenuated by moderating resilience factors. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether optimism, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy moderate the relationship between health comparisons and SWB using a longitudinal approach. Design Data from wave 3 (2008) to wave 5 (2014) of the German Ageing Survey which is a representative sample of community‐dwelling individuals in Germany (≥40 years) were investigated. Methods Validated scales were used to measure optimism, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, and SWB. Linear fixed effects regressions were used (with n = 17,136 observations). Results Regressions revealed that optimism moderates the relationship between negative health comparisons and negative as well as positive affect. Furthermore, self‐efficacy moderates the relationship between negative health comparisons and life satisfaction as well as negative affect. Self‐esteem moderates the relationship between health comparisons and negative as well as positive affect. Conclusion The study findings suggest that the negative consequences of negative health comparisons might be attenuated by optimism, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy. Thus, programs aiming at increasing optimism, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy might be helpful to maintain SWB. What is already known on this subject? One recent study has investigated the relation between health comparisons and subjective well‐being (SWB). Longitudinal studies are missing investigating the moderating factors in this relation. What does this study add? Our longitudinal study examined whether resilience factors moderate the relationship between health comparisons and SWB. Optimism moderates the relationship between health comparisons and negative as well as positive affect. Self‐efficacy moderates the relation between health comparisons and cognitive well‐being and negative affect.

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Section: What Does This Study Add?mentioning

confidence: 97%

The role of optimism, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy in moderating the relation between health comparisons and subjective well‐being: Results of a nationally representative longitudinal study among older adults

Hajek

König

2019

British J Health Psychol

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Exploring the association of social comparison with depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

McCarthy

Morina

2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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Research has highlighted the role of social comparison processes in varying affect and psychological wellbeing. These processes can provide greater insight into cognitions and behaviours related to depression and anxiety disorders. This review aimed to examine the relationship of social comparison with depression and anxiety in clinically relevant samples, using a process-based approach. Studies of clinical and subclinical populations that utilized observational or experimental social comparison assessment were considered for review. A systematic literature search in Medline and PsycInfo databases produced 54 relevant studies (49 studies on adults and five on child and adolescent populations), 14 of which were suitable for a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis of the association of social comparison evaluation with depression and anxiety in clinical populations revealed weighted correlations of −0.53 and − 0.39, respectively. No subclinical studies were included in a meta-analysis due to a lack of comparable outcomes. Evidence suggests differences between depression and anxiety disorders in information seeking, where frequency and diversity of social comparisons vary; however, studies comparing disorders are lacking. Heterogeneity of experimental studies precluded inclusion in a meta-analysis. A narrative review of experimental data indicated depression and anxiety status is related to reactions to upward comparisons in the domains of affect and behaviour, where individual differences in evaluation can determine affective reactions and how comparison information is further sought. This review suggests social comparison has a significant association with depression and anxiety. However, the limited number of studies with clinical populations necessitates further research on social comparison processes in clinical samples.

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