The Relationship of Social Comparison to Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Affect

Abstract

The relationships among symptom severity, symptom exacerbation, negative affect, and social comparison processes were examined among 71 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Social comparisons were operationalized by means of multiple measures derived from theory and developed for this investigation. We proposed that experiencing severe or worsening arthritis symptoms would be associated with more depression and lower self-esteem, which, in turn, would be associated with downward social comparison. The results substantially supported these hypothesized relationships. Three different types of social comparison measures all revealed a preponderance of downward comparisons. A composite of depression and low self-esteem was significantly related to symptom severity. Social comparisons operationalized as information choices revealed that, in general, negative affect was related to downward comparison. These findings are consistent with formulations suggesting that chronic health problems can threaten self-worth and that such a threat motivates downward comparison. Our findings also raise issues concerning the conceptualization and measurement of social comparison in nonlaboratory settings.