From competition to compassion: A caregiving approach to intervening with appearance comparisons

Vimalakanthan, Kiruthiha; Kelly, Allison C.; Trac, Sarina

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.03.003

Cited by 14 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Lower scores for social comparison indicate greater feelings of inferiority, thus the negative and significant relationship to higher levels of body weight shame and submissiveness. These results support social rank theory and other empirical research indicating that feelings of inferiority are linked with shame and submissive behaviour (Duarte et al, 2019; Ferreira et al, 2019; Gilbert et al, 2009; Vimalakanthan et al, 2018). All social rank factors, of social comparison, body weight shame and submissiveness predicted self-to-self relating styles.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Despite the short-term emotional relief a down-rank comparison can afford, according to social mentality theory, a down-rank comparison keeps individuals in a competitive motivational system (Gilbert, 1989). When engaging this system, the individual continually monitors and ranks their body weight compared to others, making them susceptible to body weight shame (Gilbert, 1989; Tangney, 2012; Vimalakanthan et al, 2018).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Body weight perception outweighs body weight when predicting shame, criticism, depression and anxiety for lower BMI range and higher BMI range adults

et al. 2021

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This study examined the relationship between body weight shame, self-criticism and mental health for individuals across body weight ranges. In total 1695 participants completed a series of online measures and we used Structural Equation Modelling, to assess for the relationship between weight, perceived weight, social rank (social comparison, body weight shame, submissiveness) self-criticism (inadequate and self-hatred) and anxious and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that perceived body weight is more important than actual body weight in predicting body weight shame. Importantly, individuals classified in higher BMI ranges rely more on the self-hatred form of self-criticism which significantly predicts anxious and depressive symptoms.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

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confidence: 99%

Body weight perception outweighs body weight when predicting shame, criticism, depression and anxiety for lower BMI range and higher BMI range adults

et al. 2021

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“…Although systematic interventions for social comparison orientation are still relatively lacking, some researchers have made preliminary attempts. For example, Vimalakanthan et al (2018) studied 120 female college students and found that fostering a compassionate mindset significantly reduced body dissatisfaction and restrictive eating behaviors, particularly for those who frequently engage in social comparison. This indicated that interventions for social comparison orientation are feasible and effective.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shyness and self-consistency and congruence among Chinese adolescents: mediating role of social comparison orientation and moderating role of self-focused attention

Yu,

Sun

2024

Front. Psychol.

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During the critical period of personality shaping and self-development, adolescents face unique challenges and opportunities. This study, based on Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, explored the relationship between shyness and self-consistency and congruence (hereinafter referred to as SCC), as well as its underlying mechanisms. Through a questionnaire survey on shyness, social comparison orientation, self-focused attention, and SCC among 984 adolescents, the results revealed that (1) Adolescent shyness negatively predicted SCC. (2) Social comparison orientation partially mediated the relationship between shyness and SCC. (3) Self-focused attention moderated the direct pathway of this mediation process, where a high level of self-focused attention exacerbated the negative impact of shyness on SCC. These findings offered a new perspective on understanding SCC and underscored the importance of addressing the information processing mechanisms of social comparison orientation and self-focused attention among shy adolescents in interventions aimed at promoting their psychological harmony and healthy growth.

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“…For example, actively capturing the occurrence of comparisons within and between members of a dyad, [26] or an intervention implementing and comparing outcomes of various cognitive strategies for patient and caregiver. [31]…”

Section: Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the use of social comparisons within an advanced cancer setting

Starkings

Jenkins

Shilling

2019

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research &Amp; Practice

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Background: The PROACT (Patient Reported Outcomes in cancer, impact of Age and Carer role demands associated with Treatment) study had the primary aim of developing 2 scales measuring the impact of cancer on wellbeing and caregiving responsibilities, for people with cancer and the individuals supporting them. The project consisted of 4 consecutive studies; the first stage was the collection of qualitative narratives to understand the patient/caregiver experience. This article reports on an incidental finding from these narratives. Methods: The researchers conducted semistructured interviews exploring participants' views on the impact cancer had on their quality of life. They interviewed 24 people with stage III/IV cancer from 3 tumor groups, lung (n = 6), melanoma (n = 9), and ovarian (n = 9), and 23 informal caregivers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and a framework was developed through open coding. A framework approach to thematic analysis was employed. Results: Twenty themes and 33 subthemes were identified including topics such as impact for caregiving and employment. There was an unplanned finding of participants recurrently using concepts of "luck" or good fortune when describing their situations. Although not a theme itself, this narrative was present across the framework, occurring when individuals made comparisons to "other" groups of people perceived as facing more difficulties. Conclusions: This analysis provides insight into the use of language by both patients and informal caregivers in the advanced disease setting, laying the foundation for future research exploring any effects this has on dyadic wellbeing. These interpretations form a basis to explore whether this language can be harnessed by healthcare professionals to deliver information in line with an individual's conceptualization of their situation.

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From competition to compassion: A caregiving approach to intervening with appearance comparisons

Cited by 14 publications

References 66 publications

Body weight perception outweighs body weight when predicting shame, criticism, depression and anxiety for lower BMI range and higher BMI range adults

Body weight perception outweighs body weight when predicting shame, criticism, depression and anxiety for lower BMI range and higher BMI range adults

Shyness and self-consistency and congruence among Chinese adolescents: mediating role of social comparison orientation and moderating role of self-focused attention

Insights into the use of social comparisons within an advanced cancer setting

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