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Morina N, Meyer T, McCarthy PA, Hoppen TH, Schlechter P. Evaluation of the Scales for Social Comparison of Appearance and Social Comparison of Well-Being. J Pers Assess 2024; 106:625-637. [PMID: 38215337 DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2023.2298887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
People constantly compare their appearance and well-being to that of other individuals. However, a measure of social comparison of well-being is lacking and existing appearance-related social comparison assessment is limited to comparison tendency using predefined social situations. This limits our understanding of the role of social comparison in appearance and well-being. Therefore, we developed the Scale for Social Comparison of Appearance (SSC-A) and the Scale for Social Comparison of Well-Being (SSC-W) to assess upward and downward social comparisons with regard to (a) frequency, (b) perceived discrepancy to the standard, and (c) engendered affective impact during the last 3 weeks. In one longitudinal and three cross-sectional studies (Ns = 500-1,121), we administered the SSC-A or SSC-W alongside measures of appearance social comparison, body satisfaction, self-concept, social rank, well-being, envy, rumination, depression, and anxiety. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the expected two-factor model representing upward and downward social comparison for both scales. Overall, upward comparison displayed the anticipated associations with the measured constructs, whereas downward comparison showed mostly small or nonsignificant correlations with the validators. The SSC-A and SSC-W are efficient measures of social comparison for appearance and well-being with good evidence for their reliability and validity in our samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Peter A McCarthy
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thole H Hoppen
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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de Lira MDNS, Loureto GDL, Alexandrino KE, Freires LA, da Costa JCA, Vione KC. Dispositional greed and life satisfaction: the role of social comparison for well-being. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:1425-1436. [PMID: 38498980 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2024.2331494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
There is a lack of studies addressing the psychological mechanisms underlying the association between individual differences in greed and well-being. This study tested the relationship between dispositional greed, and satisfaction with life, as well as the moderating effect of social comparison orientation on this association (N = 373). As expected for hypothesis 1, we found that greed correlated negatively with satisfaction with life, and positively with social comparison orientation, even after controlling for individuals' mental health index (anxiety and depression), supporting the hypothesis 2. Further, the moderating effect of social comparison strengthened the relationship between high levels of dispositional greed and dissatisfaction with life, failing to support hypothesis 3. As such, individuals high on dispositional greed were less satisfied with life if they also showed lower (vs. medium level) levels of social comparison orientation. These findings add to the psychological literature on greed by showing that social comparison is not only positively related to it but can also be a vital mechanism for boosting psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Katia C Vione
- Department of Psychology, University of Derby, Derby, UK
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3
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Schlechter P, Hellmann JH, Morina N. The longitudinal relationship between well-being comparisons and anxiety symptoms in the context of uncontrollability of worries and external locus of control: a two-wave study. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2024; 37:602-614. [PMID: 38248916 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2024.2306530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety is a prevalent mental health condition. Comparisons of one's own well-being to different aversive standards may contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety symptoms. OBJECTIVES Our primary goal was to investigate whether aversive well-being comparisons predict anxiety symptoms and vice versa. Additionally, we aimed at examining exploratorily whether well-being comparisons are reciprocally related to metacognitive beliefs about worrying and external control beliefs. METHODS In this two-wave longitudinal survey design, 922 participants completed measures of anxiety, metacognitions about the uncontrollability of worries, external locus of control, and the Comparison Standards Scale for Well-being (CSS-W) at two timepoints, three-months apart. The CSS-W assesses the frequency, perceived discrepancy, and affective impact of social, temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based comparisons. RESULTS When autoregressive effects were adjusted for, aversive comparison frequency, comparison affective impact, and uncontrollability of worries at the first timepoint predicted subsequent anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, well-being comparison frequency and discrepancy at the second timepoint were predicted by baseline anxiety symptoms. External locus of control predicted comparison frequency and discrepancy. CONCLUSIONS Well-being comparisons contribute distinct variance to anxiety symptoms and vice versa, pointing to a vicious cirlcle of symptom escalation. These findings have significant implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jens H Hellmann
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Schlechter P, Bryant RA, Morina N. Do aversive well-being comparisons mediate the effects of childhood adversity on anxiety and depression? CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106938. [PMID: 38972075 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood adversity (CA) is strongly associated with depression and anxiety in later life. Many adults with a history of CA may have internalized an insecure self-concept, which may contribute to negative evaluations of one's current well-being relative to different standards. Yet, there is lack of research on well-being comparisons in adults with a history of CA. OBJECTIVE We examined aversive well-being comparisons (i.e., comparisons threatening the comparer's motives) in the context of CA and their predictive value in depression and anxiety beyond self-esteem, emotion regulation, and external control beliefs. Further, we investigated whether well-being comparison processes mediate the relationship between CA and depression and anxiety. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING We conducted a two-wave longitudinal study with 942 adult participants (mean age: 31.56 years, SD = 10.49, 18-75 years). METHODS Participants completed measures of CA, aversive well-being comparisons (social, temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based comparisons), self-esteem, emotion regulation, and locus of control at two time points, three months apart. RESULTS CA was significantly linked to more frequent aversive well-being comparisons. These comparisons were associated with greater discrepancies relative to the comparison standard and a more negative affective impact, ultimately contributing to higher levels of subsequent anxiety and depression symptoms. Comparison frequency emerged as key mediator, highlighting potential pathways through which CA affects adult mental health. These associations emerged despite controlling for established variables in this context, namely self-esteem, emotion regulation, and external locus of control. CONCLUSION Our findings underscore the unique importance of aversive well-being comparisons in individuals with a history of CA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Paz V, Nicolaisen-Sobesky E, Fernández-Theoduloz G, Pérez A, Cervantes Constantino F, Martínez-Montes E, Kessel D, Cabana Á, Gradin VB. Event-related potentials of social comparisons in depression and social anxiety. Psychophysiology 2024:e14643. [PMID: 38970156 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Social comparison is central in human life and can be especially challenging in depression and social anxiety. We assessed event-related potentials and emotions using a social comparison task in which participants received feedback on both their own and a co-player's performance, in participants with depression and/or social anxiety (n = 63) and healthy controls (n = 72). Participants reported more negative emotions for downward (being better than the co-player [participant correct, co-player wrong]) and upward (being worse than the co-player [participant wrong, co-player correct]) comparisons versus even outcomes, with these effects being stronger in depression and social anxiety. At the Medial Frontal Negativity, both controls and depressed participants showed a more negative amplitude for upward comparison versus both the participant and co-player performing wrong. Socially anxious subjects showed the opposite effect, possibly due to greater expectations about being worse than others. The P300 decreased for downward and upward comparisons compared to even outcomes, which may relate to the higher levels of conflict of social inequality. Depressed and socially anxious subjects showed a blunted P300 increase over time in response to the task outcomes, suggesting deficits in allocating resources for the attention of incoming social information. The LPP showed increased amplitude for downward and upward comparison versus the even outcomes and no group effect. Emotional findings suggest that social comparisons are more difficult for depressed and socially anxious individuals. Event-related potentials findings may shed light on the neural substrates of these difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Paz
- Center for Basic Research in Psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto de Psicología Clínica, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto de Fundamentos y Métodos en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Eliana Nicolaisen-Sobesky
- Center for Basic Research in Psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Gabriela Fernández-Theoduloz
- Center for Basic Research in Psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto de Psicología Clínica, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alfonso Pérez
- Center for Basic Research in Psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | | | - Dominique Kessel
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Cabana
- Center for Basic Research in Psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto de Fundamentos y Métodos en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria B Gradin
- Center for Basic Research in Psychology, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto de Fundamentos y Métodos en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Schlechter P, Meyer T, Morina N. Comparison Is the Thief of Joy? Introducing the Attitudes Towards Social Comparison Inventory. Assessment 2024; 31:1052-1069. [PMID: 37876134 PMCID: PMC11134996 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231203968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Social comparison has a significant impact on individuals' motivation, affect, and behavior. However, we lack a scale that captures individual differences in attitudes toward social comparison. To address this gap, we developed the Attitudes Toward Social Comparison Inventory (ASCI) drawing on existing scales that tap into metacognitive beliefs about worrying, self-motives, beliefs about emotions, and the general comparative-processing model. We examined the psychometric properties of the ASCI in a longitudinal study (N = 1,084), and a second (N = 550) and third cross-sectional study (N = 306). Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we identified a 12-item two-factor solution capturing positive and negative attitudes toward social comparison. The ASCI demonstrated measurement invariance across gender and time. The two factors were differentially and longitudinally associated with relevant constructs, including social comparison, metacognitive beliefs about worrying, depression, self-concept clarity, envy, and self-esteem. The ASCI facilitates comprehensive investigations of social comparison processes.
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El Khoury MA, Malaeb D, Fawaz M, Chammas N, Soufia M, Fekih-Romdhane F, Obeid S, Hallit S. Psychometric properties of the arabic translation of the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) in adults. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:371. [PMID: 38951937 PMCID: PMC11218361 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01871-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical comparison may be a factor in body dissatisfaction and related issues, like eating disorders and depression. The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) is a scale developed to assess the frequency of physical comparison. Because there is no validated scale for body comparison in Arabic, this study aims to address this gap by validating the PACS-R in the Arabic language. METHODS The PACS-R was translated to Arabic following a conventional forward-backward translation procedure, and was administered to a sample of 359 Lebanese adults along with The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES) for convergent validity. The factor structure was studied by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and composite reliability was assessed using McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS Results suggested a one-factor structure of the Arabic PACS-R, with good internal consistency (McDonald's ω = 0.97 / Cronbach α = 0.97). Measurement invariance was established across sex groups, with no significant difference being reported between males and females in terms of PACS-R scores (15.42 ± 10.64 vs. 13.16 ± 11.88; t(357) = 1.84; p = .066). Finally, adequate convergent validity was tested and found to be adequate, with PACS-R scores found to be correlated negatively with self-esteem and positively with psychological distress. CONCLUSION The present findings preliminarily establish the Arabic PACS-R as an effective instrument for researchers and practitioners aiming to explore the physical comparison among Arabic-speaking populations, thus contributing to research and clinical work in the Arabic community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Anne El Khoury
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mirna Fawaz
- College of Health Sciences, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Nancy Chammas
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Michel Soufia
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia.
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
- Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah, 21478, Saudi Arabia.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
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Nie T, Wu J, Yan Q. Facilitation or hindrance? The impact of downward social comparison on adversarial growth. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1307393. [PMID: 38966732 PMCID: PMC11222402 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1307393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction While adversity can bring great challenges to individuals' life and work, many people also find ways to make positive changes and adapt to these difficult circumstances. Individuals tend to make social comparisons more frequently and intensely when faced with adversity or high stress. The study attempts to examine the influence mechanism of downward social comparison on individual adversarial growth. Methods By collecting data from 353 Chinese who have experienced adversities in the past 3 years, the study validates the dual mediating model of gratitude and self-acceptance and explores the moderating effect of interpersonal sensitivity. Results The findings indicate that: downward social comparison can increase the occurrence of adversarial growth by enhancing individuals' self-acceptance and gratitude. Compared to individuals with low interpersonal sensitivity, individuals with high interpersonal sensitivity are more likely to facilitate the occurrence of adversarial growth through self-acceptance and gratitude due to downward social comparison. Discussion In the face of adversity, individuals can regain self-confidence and respond positively by comparing themselves to people in worse situations than themselves. In particular, individuals with higher interpersonal sensitivity are more likely to benefit from downward social comparisons and grow from adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Nie
- School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Business, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Qiao Yan
- School of Business, Zhuhai College of Science and Technology, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
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Baga K, Salvatore GM, Bercovitz I, Mogle JA, Arigo D. Daily social comparisons among women in midlife with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease: A within-person test of the identification/contrast model. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 38785210 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Women age 40-60 are disproportionately affected by health problems that increase their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD; e.g. hypertension). Social comparisons (i.e. self-evaluations relative to others) are known to influence health in this and other groups, but their nature and consequences in daily life are poorly understood. We conducted an ecological momentary assessment study over 10 days (5x/day) with 75 women ages 40-60 who had ≥1 CVD risk conditions (MAge = 51.6 years, MBMI = 34.0 kg/m2). Using a mix of frequentist and Bayesian analytic approaches, we examined characteristics of women's naturally occurring comparisons and tested predictions from the Identification/Contrast Model within-person (e.g. identifying with an upward target results in positive affect, whereas contrasting results in negative affect). Comparisons occurred at 21% of moments, with considerable within-person variability in response. In line with predictions from the Identification/Contrast Model, women were more likely to experience positive affect after upward identification or downward contrast and more likely to experience negative affect after upward contrast or downward identification, though observed nuances warrant additional consideration. Overall, findings support the Identification/Contrast Model to describe women's comparison experiences as they occur in daily life. Future work should determine pathways between the immediate consequences of comparisons and longer-term health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiri Baga
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | | | - Iris Bercovitz
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | - Jacqueline A Mogle
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Danielle Arigo
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Department of Family Medicine, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Glassboro, NJ, United States
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Du X, Yao L, Sun L, Chen X, Jiang J. Neural mechanisms of social comparison in subthreshold depression. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae222. [PMID: 38813967 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Social comparison is a common phenomenon in our daily life, through which people get to know themselves, and plays an important role in depression. In this study, event-related potential (ERP) was used to explore the temporal course of social comparison processing in the subthreshold depression group. Electrophysiological recordings were acquired from 30 subthreshold depressed individuals and 31 healthy individuals while they conducted the adapted dot estimation task. The ERP results revealed that there was a significant difference of feedback-related negativity (FRN) in the process of social comparison. Especially only in the subthreshold depression, the FRN amplitudes of worse off than some, better off than many comparisons were larger than those of upward comparisons and downward comparisons. Our results suggested that the abnormal reward sensitivity for worse off than some, better off than many comparisons might be prodromal symptoms in the subthreshold depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Du
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Yao
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Tsinghua High School, Chongqing, China
| | - Le Sun
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- College of Educational Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Department of Basic Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Schlechter P, Morina N. The Role of Aversive Appearance-Related Comparisons and Self-Discrepancy in Depression and Well-Being From a Longitudinal General Comparative-Processing Perspective. Behav Ther 2024; 55:636-648. [PMID: 38670674 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Research indicates that aversive appearance-related comparisons (i.e., perceived as threatening one's own motives) are associated with depressive symptoms. However, central elements underlying the comparison process are poorly understood. Drawing on central propositions of comparison theory, we hypothesized that an increased aversive comparison frequency instigates high levels of perceived comparison discrepancy to the standard, resulting in an intensified negative affective impact. Consequently, this heightened affective impact is expected to elicit more depressive symptoms and lower psychological well-being. We additionally expected that these pathways are moderated by dispositional self-discrepancies. In a two-wave longitudinal study, participants with elevated depressive symptoms (N = 500) responded to measures of self-discrepancy, depressive symptoms, psychological well-being, and the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance. The latter assesses aversive social, temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based comparisons regarding their frequency, perceived discrepancy to the standard, and engendered affective impact. The affective impact after engaging in aversive appearance-related comparisons (partially) accounted for the relation between comparison discrepancy and subsequent depressive symptoms and psychological well-being. Perceived discrepancy to the aversive comparison standards was not a key variable in this process. Dispositional self-discrepancy emerged as moderator on different pathways. Clinical implications are discussed in light of central theoretical accounts from a general comparative-processing perspective.
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Huynh HP, Wicks A, Raya A, Castellanos I, Weatherford DR, Lilley MK. Social Comparison Processes of Hispanic Students at Hispanic Majority Institutions. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241241641. [PMID: 38599339 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241241641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
This paper describes the types of social comparison used by Hispanic students at a Hispanic Majority Institution through two studies (N = 406). We found that students engaged in upward identification more often than downward identification, downward contrast, and upward contrast. However, when comparing themselves on an academic measure, downward identification and upward contrast became relatively more frequent. Additionally, downward identification tended to predict higher self-reported confidence about academic abilities than other types of social comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Phi Huynh
- School of Medicine and Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anastacia Wicks
- Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University - San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alena Raya
- Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University - San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Isabella Castellanos
- Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University - San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Dawn R Weatherford
- Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M University - San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Malin K Lilley
- Department of Counseling and Psychology, Texas A&M University - Central Texas, Killeen, TX, USA
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13
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Willy K, Meyer T, Eckardt L, Morina N. Selection of social comparison standards in cardiac patients with and without experienced defibrillator shock. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5551. [PMID: 38448440 PMCID: PMC10917798 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51366-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) often report psychological distress. Literature suggests that patients with physical disease often compare their well-being and coping to fellow patients. However, we lack knowledge on social comparison among patients with ICD. In this study, we examined psychological distress and social comparison selection in patients with (ICD+) and without experienced ICD shocks (ICD-). We theorized that relative to ICD- patients, those with ICD+ display higher levels of psychological distress and thereby compare more frequently with fellow patients with more severe disease, but better disease coping and try to identify more strongly with these standards to improve their own coping. We recruited 92 patients with (ICD+, n = 38) and without an experienced ICD shock (ICD-, n = 54), who selected one of four comparison standards varying in disease severity and coping capacity. Relative to ICD-, ICD+ patients reported higher levels of device-related distress, but there were no significant differences in anxiety, depression, or quality of life. ICD+ patients selected more often comparison standards with poor coping and, irrespective of standard choice, displayed more negative mood following comparison. Our results show that ICD+ patients tend to perform unfavorable comparisons to fellow patients, which might explain higher psychological distress and worse coping. These findings warrant further research into social comparison as a relevant coping mechanism in ICD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Willy
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
- Department of Cardiology II, University Hospital of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lars Eckardt
- Department of Cardiology II, University Hospital of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Meyer T, Sickinghe M, Matera V, Morina N. Comparison standards shape everyday judgments of low and high wellbeing in individuals with and without psychopathology: a diary-based investigation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4063. [PMID: 38374170 PMCID: PMC10876573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54681-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
People can easily rate and express their current levels of wellbeing, but the cognitive foundations for such judgments are poorly understood. We examined whether comparisons to varying standards underlie fluctuating wellbeing judgments within-person (i.e., throughout daily episodes) and between-person (i.e., high vs. low levels of psychopathology). Clinical and non-clinical participants recorded subjective affect for each distinct episode for one week. Participants briefly described current, best, and worst daily episodes, which we coded for presence and type of comparison standard (social, past temporal, criteria-based, counterfactual, prospective temporal, and dimensional). Participants also rated their engagement with these standards and the respective affective impact. During best episodes, participants reported more downward (vs. upward) comparisons that resulted in positive affective impact. In worst episodes, upward (vs. downward) comparisons were more frequent. In best and worst episodes, we most frequently identified past-temporal and criteria-based comparisons, respectively. The clinical group engaged more often with all potential standard types during worst daily episodes and was more negatively affected by comparative thoughts, amid consistently more negative affect levels across all episode types. Our data suggest that judgments of affect and wellbeing may indeed rely on comparative thinking, whereby certain standards may characterize states of negative affect and poor mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Meyer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Marthe Sickinghe
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Vanessa Matera
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Schlechter P, Morina N. The associations among well-being comparisons and affective styles in depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life. J Clin Psychol 2024; 80:355-369. [PMID: 37847587 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Frame-of-reference theories suggest that individuals use different comparison types to evaluate their well-being. Research indicates that the frequency of aversive well-being comparisons is related to depression, with engendered comparison affective impact partly accounting for this relationship. We aimed to replicate this finding, examine whether this extends to anxiety and mental health quality of life, and whether these pathways are moderated by affective styles of concealing, adjusting, and tolerating. We expected concealing as a response-focused style to be associated with higher effects of comparison affective impact on depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life. Adjusting as an antecedent-focused strategy was expected to mitigate the effects of aversive comparison frequency on comparison affective impact, and the effects of comparison affective impact on the outcomes. Finally, tolerating was expected to be associated with lower effects on both pathways. METHODS AND MEASURES Participants (N = 596) responded to measures of well-being comparisons, affective styles, depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life. RESULTS Frequency of aversive well-being comparisons was associated with all outcomes. These relationships were partially mediated by comparison affective impact. Adjustment moderated the pathway between aversive comparison frequency and comparison affective impact. No other moderation effect emerged. CONCLUSION The comparison process appears important in well-being evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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16
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Churbaji D, Morina N. Cognitive factors underlying the impact of postmigration stressors on subjective well-being: Well-being comparisons and self-efficacy. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023. [PMID: 37897096 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migration and the resulting challenges in the host country can have a profound impact on the mental health of refugees and intensify preoccupation with one's own well-being. Yet, cognitive factors underlying the adverse impact of postmigration stressors are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE We aimed at exploring the frequency and nature of well-being comparisons in the context of flight and migration using the Comparison Standards Scale for Well-being (CSS-W), which assesses well-being related social, temporal, counterfactual, criteria-based and dimensional aversive and appetitive comparisons. We further aimed at examining the mediating role of well-being comparisons and general self-efficacy in the relationship between postmigration stressors and psychological well-being. METHODS We conducted a survey with 1070 Arabic speaking forcibly displaced people in Germany assessing well-being comparisons, general self-efficacy, postmigration stressors, subjective well-being and social media engagement. RESULTS Factor analysis of the CSS-W yielded a theoretically grounded two-factor structure proposing an aversive (mostly upward) and an appetitive (mostly downward) comparison factor. Aversive and appetitive comparisons were reported by more than 99% of participants, with temporal comparisons being reported by 98.7% of participants. Postmigration stressors were significantly related to subjective well-being and aversive well-being comparisons and general self-efficacy partially mediated this relationship. Appetitive well-being comparisons, however, were not significantly related to neither postmigration stressors nor general self-efficacy. CONCLUSION Aversive well-being comparisons and general self-efficacy seem to play a significant role in the adverse effects of postmigration stressors on subjective well-being. Longitudinal research is needed to examine the directional dynamics between general self-efficacy, well-being comparisons and postmigration stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Churbaji
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Schlechter P, König M, McNally RJ, Morina N. Crying over spilled milk? A network analysis of aversive well-being comparison, brooding rumination and depressive symptoms. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:520-530. [PMID: 37467791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comparative thinking about one's well-being is ubiquitous. Comparisons that threaten an individual's self-motives are aversive and interact with rumination and depression. Aversive well-being comparisons include upward social, past temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based comparisons, as well as downward prospective temporal comparisons. Although the frequency, discrepancy, and affective impact of aversive comparison total scores have been associated with brooding rumination and depression, no study has investigated the interaction of specific comparison standards (e.g., social or counterfactual) with symptom cascades of brooding and depressive symptoms. METHODS To examine this interaction, we conducted network analyses on the interplay between aversive well-being comparisons, brooding rumination, and depression. Specifically, we conducted a cross-sectional study in N = 500 dysphoric individuals and a longitudinal study in N = 921 participants at two timepoints, three months apart. Participants completed measures of depression, brooding, and the Comparison Standards Scale for Well-being, which assessed the frequency, perceived discrepancy, and affective impact of aversive well-being comparisons. RESULTS Feelings of worthlessness emerged as the most central attribute in the networks of the dysphoric sample. Longitudinally, brooding and depressive symptoms predicted aversive comparisons, but not the other way around, which accounted for social and other-referent counterfactual comparisons to a greater degree than for other comparison types. LIMITATIONS We used nonclinical samples. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the critical role of comparison standards in depression. Further research is warranted to detect potential intervention targets for mitigating negative effects of negative self-evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meret König
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Germany
| | - Richard J McNally
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, United States of America
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18
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Yang F, Li M, Han Y. Whether and how will using social media induce social anxiety? The correlational and causal evidence from Chinese society. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1217415. [PMID: 37842706 PMCID: PMC10570417 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1217415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prior literature has well established the relationship between social media use and social anxiety, but little attention has been paid to the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, the causal evidence concerning the effect of social media use on social anxiety is scarce. Objective Given that, two studies were conducted to examine the effect of social media use on social anxiety and the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results In Study 1, with 470 undergraduates as participants, we applied the questionnaire survey to investigate the relationship between social media use and social anxiety. The results showed that higher social media use intensity was significantly related to higher social anxiety, and social media use was related to social anxiety via two possible mediation paths: (1) social media use → upward social comparison → social anxiety, (2) and social media use → upward social comparison → self-esteem → social anxiety. In Study 2, with 180 undergraduates as participants, we conducted a lab experiment, in which participants were assigned to the experimental (exposed to the content that undergraduates frequently access on social media) or control (exposed to landscape documentaries) condition, and then measured their upward social comparison, self-esteem and social anxiety. The results showed that participants in the experimental condition reported higher social anxiety than those in the control condition, demonstrating the causality between social media exposure and social anxiety. The subsequent mediation analysis basically replicated the findings of Study 1. That is, upward social comparison played the mediating role between social media exposure and social anxiety, and upward social comparison and self-esteem played the chain-mediating role between them. Conclusion The current research firstly demonstrated the causality between social media use and social anxiety in Chinese society, and also revealed the mediating mechanisms between them, which would deepen our understanding of how social media use will increase social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yang
- Department of Teacher Education, Taishan University, Tai’an, Shandong, China
| | - Minyan Li
- Department of Teacher Education, Taishan University, Tai’an, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
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Xue B, Ma YY, Zhu JY, Mu Y, Li YH, Shen F, Liang J, Zhang JJ. Chronic social comparison elicits depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in male rats. Anim Cogn 2023; 26:1505-1519. [PMID: 37302101 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-023-01798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Social comparison is a fundamental human characteristic; however, long-term social comparison may induce psychological stress and can lead to depression and anxiety. Recent studies have shown that nonhuman primates compare themselves with others; however, no studies have investigated whether social comparisons exist among rodents. In the present study, we established a rat model of social comparison. This model was subsequently used to examine the effects of the differential environment of a partner on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in male rats, as well as to assess the changes in serum, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and dorsal hippocampus brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by long-term social comparison. Compared to rats whose partners were exposed to the same environment, rats whose partners were exposed to two combined enriched environmental stimuli for 14 days showed significantly decreased social novelty preference and sucrose consumption. No anxiety-like behaviors were observed. Rats whose partners were exposed to one enriched environment for 31 days showed significantly increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, and significantly decreased time spent in the center area in the open-field test. Further, rats whose partners were exposed to one enriched environment for 31 days showed lower BDNF levels in the mPFC and dorsal hippocampus, but not following partner exposure for 14 days. These results suggest that social comparisons exist in rats and can induce psychosocial stress and other negative affect. This model will not only provide the possibility to reveal the neurobiological basis of the emotional impact of social comparison, but could also be used to confirm the conservative evolutionary characteristics of social comparison as a behavioral attribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xue
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yin-Yan Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie-Ying Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Mu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hui Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Jun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China.
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Mason TB, Crosby RD, Engel SG, Morales JC, Wonderlich SA. Ecological momentary assessment of mood regulation eating expectancies in eating disorders: Convergent and predictive validity. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2023; 31:717-723. [PMID: 37337314 PMCID: PMC10465104 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Eating expectancies (EE) are the anticipation of various benefits or detriments from eating, with mood regulation being a salient type of EE associated with eating disorders. This study examined the convergent and predictive validity of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) mood regulation EE items, including mood improvement and mood worsening EE. METHODS Thirty women with binge-eating pathology completed a 14-day EMA protocol, which included measures of mood regulation EE, affect, appetite, appearance- and body-related factors and disordered-eating behaviours. RESULTS Greater within-subjects hunger and lower within-subjects positive affect and fullness were related to elevated mood improvement EE. Higher within-subjects appearance concerns, fullness, body social comparisons and thinness pressure were associated with higher mood worsening EE. Greater within-subjects mood worsening EE predicted greater likelihood of vomiting at the subsequent time point, but there were no within-subjects associations between mood improvement EE and behaviours. Yet, greater between-subjects mood worsening EE were associated with more restraint/restriction and binge eating, and greater between-subjects mood improvement EE were associated with more binge eating. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the convergent validity of EMA mood regulation EE items. There was limited predictive validity evidence, suggesting complexities in how mood regulation EE predict behaviour in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B. Mason
- Department of Public Health and Population Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ross D. Crosby
- Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research, Sanford Research
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Scott G. Engel
- Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research, Sanford Research
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Jeremy C. Morales
- Department of Public Health and Population Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Stephen A. Wonderlich
- Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research, Sanford Research
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota
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van Sprang ED, Maciejewski DF, Milaneschi Y, Kullberg MLJ, Elzinga BM, van Hemert AM, Hartman CA, Penninx BWJH. Weighing psychosocial factors in relatives for the risk of psychopathology: a study of patients with depressive and anxiety disorders and their siblings. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:1213-1226. [PMID: 36790574 PMCID: PMC10366289 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02432-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Siblings of probands with depressive and anxiety disorders are at increased risk for psychopathology, but little is known about how risk factors operate within families to increase psychopathology for siblings. We examined the additional impact of psychosocial risk factors in probands-on top of or in combination with those in siblings-on depressive/anxious psychopathology in siblings. METHODS The sample included 636 participants (Mage = 49.7; 62.4% female) from 256 families, each including a proband with lifetime depressive and/or anxiety disorders and their sibling(s) (N = 380 proband-sibling pairs). Sixteen psychosocial risk factors were tested. In siblings, depressive and anxiety disorders were determined with standardized psychiatric interviews; symptom severity was measured using self-report questionnaires. Analyses were performed with mixed-effects models accounting for familial structure. RESULTS In siblings, various psychosocial risk factors (female gender, low income, childhood trauma, poor parental bonding, being single, smoking, hazardous alcohol use) were associated with higher symptomatology and likelihood of disorder. The presence of the same risk factor in probands was independently associated (low income, being single) with higher symptomatology in siblings or moderated (low education, childhood trauma, hazardous alcohol use)-by reducing its strength-the association between the risk factor and symptomatology in siblings. There was no additional impact of risk factors in probands on likelihood of disorder in siblings. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate the importance of weighing psychosocial risk factors within a family context, as it may provide relevant information on the risk of affective psychopathology for individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonore D van Sprang
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Dominique F Maciejewski
- Department of Developmental Psychopathology, Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yuri Milaneschi
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bernet M Elzinga
- Institute of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Albert M van Hemert
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina A Hartman
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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22
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Mougharbel F, Chaput JP, Sampasa-Kanyinga H, Hamilton HA, Colman I, Leatherdale ST, Goldfield GS. Heavy social media use and psychological distress among adolescents: the moderating role of sex, age, and parental support. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1190390. [PMID: 37397708 PMCID: PMC10310995 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1190390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite increasing evidence that social media use is associated with adolescents' mental well-being, little is known about the role of various factors in modifying the effect of this association during adolescence. This study examined the association between social media use and psychological distress among adolescents and explored whether sex, age, and parental support moderate this association. Methods Data came from a representative sample of middle and high school students in Ontario, Canada. Cross-sectional analyses included 6,822 students derived from the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. Results Our results showed that 48% of adolescents used social media for 3 h or more per day, and 43.7% had moderate to severe psychological distress, with a higher prevalence among females (54%) than males (31%). After adjustment for relevant covariates, heavy social media use (≥3 h/day) was associated with increased odds of severe psychological distress [odds ratio (OR): 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.59-2.55]. The association of social media use with psychological distress was modified by age (p < 0.05) but not sex or parental support. The association was stronger among younger adolescents. Conclusion Heavy social media use is associated with higher levels of psychological distress, with younger adolescents being the most vulnerable. Longitudinal studies are recommended for future research to examine in more depth the role of sex, age, and parental support in the association between social media use and psychological distress to better determine the strength and of the association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Mougharbel
- School of Population Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Chaput
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hayley A. Hamilton
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Colman
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Center for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Scott T. Leatherdale
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Gary S. Goldfield
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Madigan A, Daly M. Socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms and suicidality: The role of subjective social status. J Affect Disord 2023; 326:36-43. [PMID: 36709827 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low socioeconomic status (SES) confers access to material resources and social standing and is an established risk factor of both depressive symptoms and suicidality. Subjective social status (SSS) assesses how people perceive their position within the social hierarchy and has been proposed to impact mental health. This study examined the relationship between SES and depressive symptoms and suicidality and tested whether SSS mediated these associations. METHODS This study drew on publicly available survey data from the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Participants were surveyed at baseline in 2008 (N = 4948; aged 28.8 years) and at followed up in 2016-2018 (N = 3509; aged 37.8 years). SES was gauged using personal and household income, assets, education, and job prestige. SSS was assessed using the MacArthur Scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using four-items from the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Scale of Depression (CESD) and participants reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in the past year. RESULTS Both low SES and SSS were associated with elevated levels of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. SSS explained 27 % of the association between SES and depressive symptoms, 51 % of the relationship between SES and suicidal ideation, and 37 % of the link between SES and suicide attempts on average. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute to understanding the long-term effects of SSS and suggest that perceptions of status may be a key mechanism through which low SES forecasts the development of depressive symptoms and suicidality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Madigan
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Michael Daly
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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Schlechter P, Morina N. Aversive well-being comparisons in dysphoria and the role of brooding rumination. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 62:444-458. [PMID: 36872585 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Individuals frequently engage in comparisons on how they are doing relative to different standards. According to the general comparative-processing model, comparisons can be perceived as aversive (appraised as threatening the motives of the comparer) or appetitive (appraised as consonant with, or positively challenging the motives). Research indicates that aversive comparisons are associated with depression. We hypothesize that aversive comparisons play a significant role in the relationship between brooding rumination and depression. Drawing on central propositions of control theory that discrepancies instigate rumination, we investigated the mediating role of brooding rumination in this relationship. Reflecting the different directionality, we also examined whether well-being comparisons mediate the relationship between brooding rumination and depression. METHODS Dysphoric participants (N = 500) were administered measures of depression and brooding rumination, and the Comparison Standards Scale for Well-being. The latter assesses aversive social, temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based comparisons regarding their (a) frequency, (b) perceived discrepancy to the standard, and (c) engendered affective valence. RESULTS The relationship between the frequency of aversive comparisons with depression was partially accounted for by comparison discrepancy and engendered affective valence and brooding rumination. The relationship between rumination and depression was partially mediated by sequential comparison processes. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal research needs to unravel the underlying directionality of the relationship between depression, brooding, and comparison. Relevant clinical implications of well-being comparison are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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25
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Morina N, Schlechter P. Habitual aversive and appetitive well-being comparisons in dysphoria: Introducing the Comparison Standards Scale for well-being. J Affect Disord 2023; 322:132-140. [PMID: 36372123 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People are constantly preoccupied with how they are doing compared to different standards. This preoccupation influences judgments of well-being, including depression. However, research on well-being comparisons is scarce, also due to a lack of a measure of multi-standard comparisons. METHODS Our research goals were twofold. First, we validated the Comparison Standards Scale for well-being (CSS-W). Second, by drawing on central propositions of the general comparative-processing model, we examined the association of habitual well-being comparisons, their perceived discrepancies with the standard, and engendered affect with depressive symptoms and psychological well-being in dysphoric participants (N = 500). The CSS-W assesses habitual social, temporal, counterfactual, and criteria-based upward and downward comparisons regarding their a) frequency, b) perceived discrepancy, and c) engendered affect. RESULTS The findings confirmed the theoretically expected two-factor solution representing aversive (mostly upward) and appetitive (mostly downward) comparisons. Comparison frequency, discrepancy, and engendered affect were associated with depression and well-being. Yet, aversive comparisons displayed higher associations with the outcomes than appetitive comparisons. In particular, frequency of appetitive comparisons was not significantly correlated to depression. In line with our central theory-driven hypothesis, the relationship between frequency of aversive comparisons with depression was partially mediated by serial effects of comparison discrepancy and affect, whereas the relationship with well-being was fully mediated by comparison discrepancy and affect. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design of the study does not allow for conclusions of causal relations between the measured variables. CONCLUSIONS The presented framework proves useful in examining significant comparison processes in well-being and depression.
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Kulesza W, Dolinski D, Suitner C, Genschow O, Muniak P, Izydorczak K, Salvador Casara BG. It Matters to Whom You Compare Yourself: The Case of Unrealistic Optimism and Gender-Specific Comparisons. Am J Mens Health 2023; 17:15579883231152154. [PMID: 36721355 PMCID: PMC9899955 DOI: 10.1177/15579883231152154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Unrealistic Optimism (UO) appears when comparing participants' risk estimates for themselves with an average peer, which typically results in lower risk estimates for the self. This article reports nuanced effects when comparison varies in terms of the gender of the peer. In three studies (total N = 2,468, representative sample), we assessed people's risk estimates for COVID-19 infections for peers with the same or other gender. If a peer's gender is not taken into account, previous studies were replicated: Compared with others, participants perceived themselves as less likely to get infected with COVID-19. Interestingly, this effect was qualified by gender: Respondents perceived women as less threatened than men because women are perceived as more cautious and compliant with medical guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Kulesza
- Warsaw Faculty, Centre for Research on
Social Relations, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw,
Poland
| | - Dariusz Dolinski
- Faculty of Psychology in Wroclaw, SWPS
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Caterina Suitner
- Department of Developmental Psychology
and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Oliver Genschow
- Social Cognition Center Cologne,
University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paweł Muniak
- Warsaw Faculty, Centre for Research on
Social Relations, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw,
Poland
| | - Kamil Izydorczak
- Faculty of Psychology in Wroclaw, SWPS
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wrocław, Poland,Kamil Izydorczak, Faculty of Psychology in
Wroclaw, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aleksandra
Ostrowskiego 30B, 53-238 Wrocław, Poland.
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McCarthy PA, Meyer T, Back MD, Morina N. How we compare: A new approach to assess aspects of the comparison process for appearance-based standards and their associations with individual differences in wellbeing and personality measures. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280072. [PMID: 36630441 PMCID: PMC9833549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We introduce a novel approach to assess habitual comparison processes, while distinguishing between different types of comparison standards. Several comparison theories (e.g., social) suggest that self-evaluations use different standards to inform self-perception and are associated with wellbeing and personality. We developed the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A) to examine self-reported engagement with social, temporal, criteria-based, dimensional, and counterfactual comparisons for upward and downward standards in relation to appearance. The scale was completed by three hundred participants online alongside measures of appearance schemas, social comparison evaluations, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, physical self-concept, narcissism, and perfectionism. The CSS-A was found to reliably assess individual differences in upward and downward comparison frequency and affective impact for multiple comparison standards. In line with theory, CSS-A upward comparisons were more frequent than downward comparisons and coincided with negative (versus positive) affective impact. Comparison intensity (i.e., comparison frequency × discrepancy) predicted negative and positive affective impact for upward and downward comparisons, respectively. This relationship was partially mediated by appearance concern for upward comparisons (a composite of appearance schemas and physical self-concept), yet moderated by negativity for downward comparisons (a composite of depression, anxiety, stress, and self-esteem). We offer a framework for measuring the comparison process that warrants further research on underlying comparison processes, for which the CSS(-A) and experience sampling methods should serve as useful tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mitja D. Back
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Lewin KM, Meshi D, Schuster AM, Cotten SR. Active and passive social media use are differentially related to depressive symptoms in older adults. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:176-183. [PMID: 35470731 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2068133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous research on social media use (SMU) and mental health has focused on younger individuals. For example, in young adults active SMU (e.g. posting content) has been related to decreased depressive symptoms, whereas passive SMU (e.g. browsing content) has been related to increased depressive symptoms. These relationships have not yet been investigated in older adults, however, even though SMU and poor mental health are common. METHODS We collected data from adults aged 65 years and older, and categorized SMU into active and passive dimensions with a principal component analysis. Next, we conducted t-tests and logistic regressions to assess whether older adults' SMU was associated with depressive symptoms. RESULTS Our analysis revealed that active SMU was associated with increased odds for depressive symptoms, whereas passive SMU was associated with decreased odds for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the relationships between active and passive SMU and depressive symptoms in older adults are different from previous literature focusing on younger individuals. We theorize that these findings may be due to older adults' engaging in fewer social comparisons overall, and hence experiencing fewer negative feelings while passively viewing others' social media posts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin M Lewin
- Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Dar Meshi
- Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Amy M Schuster
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Shelia R Cotten
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.,Department of Communication, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
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29
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Kamboj SK, Peniket M, Simeonov L. A bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282861. [PMID: 36913378 PMCID: PMC10010509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vagus nerve (VN) is a neural nexus between the brain and body, enabling bidirectional regulation of mental functioning and peripheral physiology. Some limited correlational findings suggest an association between VN activation and a particular form of self-regulation: compassionate responding. Interventions that are geared towards strengthening self-compassion in particular, can serve as an antidote to toxic shame and self-criticism and improve psychological health. OBJECTIVE We describe a protocol for examining the role of VN activation on 'state' self-compassion, self-criticism, and related outcomes. By combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with a brief imagery-based self-compassion intervention, we aim to preliminarily test additivity versus synergy between these distinct bottom-up and top-down methods for putatively regulating vagal activity. We also test whether the effects of VN stimulation accumulate with daily stimulation and daily compassionate imagery practice. METHODS Using a randomized 2 x 2 factorial (stimulation x imagery condition) design, healthy volunteers (n = 120) receive active (tragus) or sham (earlobe) tVNS plus standardized (audio-recorded) self-compassionate or sham mental imagery instructions. These interventions are delivered in a university-based psychological laboratory in two sessions, one week apart, as well as being self-administered between sessions by participants at home. Pre-stimulation, peri-stimulation and post-imagery measures of state self-compassion, self-criticism and related self-report outcomes are assessed in two lab sessions, separated by a week (Days 1 and 8). Heart rate variability is used as a physiological metric of vagal activity and an eye-tracking task assesses attentional bias to compassionate faces during the two lab sessions. On Days 2-7, participants continue their randomly assigned stimulation and imagery tasks at home, and complete state measures at the end of each remote session. DISCUSSION Demonstrating modulation of compassionate responding using tVNS would support a causal link between VN activation and compassion. This would provide a basis for future studies of bioelectronic approaches to augmenting therapeutic contemplative techniques. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT05441774 (Date: July 1st 2022). OSF REGISTRATION https://osf.io/4t9ha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunjeev K. Kamboj
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Matthew Peniket
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Simeonov
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Mougharbel F, Chaput JP, Sampasa-Kanyinga H, Colman I, Leatherdale ST, Patte KA, Goldfield GS. Longitudinal associations between different types of screen use and depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1101594. [PMID: 37213617 PMCID: PMC10193840 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1101594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence examining the longitudinal associations between different types of screen behaviours and mental health among adolescents is limited. The present study examined the association between five types of screen behaviours and symptoms of anxiety and depression one year later. This study also assessed how changes in screen time were associated with changes in anxiety and depressive symptoms and whether the observed relationships were moderated by sex. Methods Longitudinal data of 17,174 students in grades 9-12 (53.5% females; mean age: 15.1 ± 0.9 years) attending high schools in Canada from two waves (year 6: 2017/18, year 7: 2018/19) of the COMPASS study were analyzed. Leisure screen time and mental health measures were self-reported. To test if the associations between screen time and anxiety, and depression vary by sex, two-way interactions were examined for sex. Analyses accounted for school clustering, race/ethnicity, sex, age, income, body mass index z-score, and previous year anxiety and depression symptoms. Results There were significant longitudinal associations between time spent on each type of screen and subsequent anxiety and depression symptoms. The strength of the associations varied by type of screen behaviour. Interaction analysis indicated a sex difference for television viewing and anxiety and depression symptoms, and internet surfing and anxiety symptoms. A dose-response relationship was observed between phone talking and anxiety symptoms. Beta estimates indicated that an increase in screen duration was associated with a further increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusion Higher screen time was longitudinally associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms at one-year follow-up in adolescents. Time-change associations between screen usage and depressive and anxiety symptoms were observed. Also, associations differed based on sex and screen type, whereby greater increases in screen use predicted greater emotional distress. Findings from this prospective analysis suggest that screen time is an important determinant of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Future studies are recommended to help inform programs promoting screen time reduction with a goal to enhance adolescents' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Mougharbel
- School of Population Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Chaput
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ian Colman
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Karen A. Patte
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Gary S. Goldfield
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Gary S. Goldfield,
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31
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Kristensen SM, Danielsen AG, Jeno LM, Larsen TMB, Urke HB. The Within-Person Effect of Psychological Distress on Social Self-Efficacy: A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2022; 32:1369-1387. [PMID: 34862688 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the temporal relationship between social self-efficacy and psychological distress during 3 years in middle to late adolescence. The sample comprised 1508 participants (60.7% female; baseline mean age = 16.33, SD = .62; 52.9% high perceived family wealth; 70.6% born in Norway). We used a random intercept cross-lagged panel model to investigate the concurrent and subsequent associations between the two constructs. The results indicated (1) small to moderate and negative associations between the trait-like components and within-person fluctuations of social self-efficacy and psychological distress, (2) positive and significant carry-over stability effects on both constructs across time, and (3) that psychological distress predicted subsequent social self-efficacy more consistently across four time points, than social self-efficacy predicted later psychological distress.
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32
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The influence of perceived government corruption on depressive symptoms with social status as a moderator. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20743. [PMID: 36456849 PMCID: PMC9713743 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25371-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Perceived government corruption is an important indicator of depressive symptoms. Recent studies have explored the relationship between perceived government corruption and depressive symptoms in a cross-cultural context, but the underlying mechanisms need further research. This paper examines the impact of perceived government corruption on depressive symptoms in China and the moderating role of social status. Based on the 2018 wave of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS2018), 14,116 respondents aged between 16 and 96 were selected. The results revealed: (1) Perceived government corruption was significantly positively correlated with depressive symptoms. (2) Social class had an inhibitory effect in moderating the relationship between perceived government corruption and depressive symptoms. (3) The moderating effect was only significant for respondents who received education between junior high school and a bachelor's degree. The findings provide policy implications for developing countries and transitional societies like China. To build a more psychologically healthy society, we need to strengthen anti-corruption, stimulate social mobility, and improve people's sense of gain in the future.
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33
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Uriarte-Gaspari L, Acuña A, Morales S, Fernández-Theoduloz G, Paz V, Pérez A, Cabana Á, Gradin V. Who do I want in my team: Social avoidance of high qualified partners in depression and social anxiety. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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Marciano L, Schulz PJ, Camerini AL. How do depression, duration of internet use and social connection in adolescence influence each other over time? An extension of the RI-CLPM including contextual factors. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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35
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Huang T, Zheng K, Li S, Yang Y, Kong L, Zhao Y. Screen-based sedentary behaviors but not total sedentary time are associated with anxiety among college students. Front Public Health 2022; 10:994612. [PMID: 36339232 PMCID: PMC9632443 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.994612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of the study was to investigate the associations of device-measured total sedentary time and screen-based sedentary time with anxiety in college students. Methods Three hundred and twenty-one college students (mean age = 19.72 ± 1.18, 55.8% females) were recruited from Shanghai, China. Total sedentary time was objectively measured using accelerometry, while screen-based sedentary time was self-reported. Anxiety symptom was evaluated using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. Linear regression modeling was used to assess the associations of total sedentary time and screen-based sedentary time with anxiety symptom. Results Accelerometer-assessed total sedentary time was not associated with anxiety symptom. Prolonged sedentary time on TV and movie viewing (>2 h on weekdays) and social media using (>2 h on weekdays and weekend) were associated with a higher level of anxiety. However, time on video gaming and recreational reading was not associated with anxiety symptom. Conclusion The findings indicated that screen-based sedentary behaviors but not total sedentary time were associated with anxiety symptom among college students. The associations of screen-based sedentary behaviors with anxiety symptom varied by the types of screen time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Huang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Tao Huang
| | - Kefeng Zheng
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyuan Li
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanxiang Yang
- Chair of Sport and Health Management, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lingxuan Kong
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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36
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Morina N, McCarthy P, Meyer T, Schlechter P. Measuring Appearance-Related Comparisons: Validation of the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-022-10337-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Humans constantly compare their attributes to different reference frames. According to the theoretical framework of the general comparative-processing model, such comparisons may be perceived as aversive (i.e., appraised as threatening the motives of the comparer) or appetitive (i.e., appraised as consonant with, or positively challenging the motives). However, we lack a measure that adequately captures multi-standard comparisons.
Methods
Considering appearance-related comparisons as a relevant comparison domain, we introduce the Comparison Standards Scale for Appearance (CSS-A) that assesses appearance-related social, temporal, counterfactual, criteria-based, and dimensional upward and downward comparisons regarding their (a) frequency, (b) perceived discrepancy, and (c) engendered affect. We administered the CSS-A to 1121 participants, along with measures of appearance social comparison, body satisfaction, physical self-concept, self-esteem, well-being, and depression.
Results
A two-factor model (aversive and appetitive comparisons) fit the data better than a bifactor model with an additional general domain-factor (comparative thinking). The validity of the CSS-A was supported by correlations with external validators beyond appearance, social comparison, and body satisfaction. Aversive comparisons displayed higher associations with most outcomes than appetitive comparisons.
Conclusions
Overall, the CSS-A offers a psychometrically sound and useful measure of multi-standard comparisons.
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Jaber D, Basheer HA, Elsalem L, Dweib M, Khadra M, Abduljabbar R, Ghazwi R, Alhamad H. Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Masked Depression and Anxiety among Jordanian and Palestinian Couples: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10091679. [PMID: 36141291 PMCID: PMC9498670 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10091679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide, they continue to gain less attention than their physical counterparts in terms of health care provision and population mentalisation. This cross-sectional study explores and compares the national prevalence of depression and anxiety signs/symptoms and well as identifying associated socio-demographic factors among Jordanian and Palestinian fertile couples. Four-hundred and sixty-nine participants were eligible for inclusion and agreed to participate in the study. The mean score for HAM-A and BDI-II were 12.3 ± 8.2 and 15.30 ± 10.0, respectively. According to the grading of HAM-A and BDI-II, the majority of the participants have graded themselves to be mildly anxious (N = 323, 68.9%) and around one third of participants (N = 148, 31.6%) moderately to severe depressed. The suicidal intent was remarkable and of concern where around 18.6% of participants had suicidal thoughts and wishes. There was a significant correlation between both HAM-score and BDI-II score and age [p = 0.01, p = 0.011, respectively], body weight [p = 0.01, p = 0.006, respectively], and total monthly income [p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively]. Our findings ought to alert healthcare professionals and other interested parties that there is a high burden of anxiety and depression symptoms among Jordanian and Palestinian couples. To support Jordanian and Palestinian couples’ mental health, healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators favoured to concentrate on creating efficient and culturally relevant education, preventive, and intervention procedures utilising evidence-based guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deema Jaber
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, Jordan
- Correspondence:
| | - Haneen A. Basheer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, Jordan
| | - Lina Elsalem
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Dweib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hebron University, Hebron P720, Palestine
| | - Maysa Khadra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Rami Abduljabbar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Rawan Ghazwi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Hamza Alhamad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, Jordan
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Kip A, Diele J, Holling H, Morina N. The relationship of trauma-related guilt with PTSD symptoms in adult trauma survivors: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2022; 52:2201-2211. [PMID: 35781354 PMCID: PMC9527673 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722001866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe condition that is associated with trauma-related guilt. We aimed at providing a comprehensive quantitative systematic review on the relationship between trauma-related guilt and adult PTSD. Database searches in Medline, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs and Web of Knowledge resulted in the inclusion of 163 eligible studies with a total of 35 020 trauma survivors. The studies reported on 157 cross-sectional and 19 longitudinal data points. Overall, we included 135 studies not included in previous meta-analyses. Random-effect models yielded a moderate cross-sectional correlation (r = 0.38, 95% CI 0.35-0.42, p < 0.001, I2 = 90.3%) and a small to moderate predictive correlation (r = 0.21, 95% CI 0.13-0.29, p < 0.001, I2 = 66.7%). The association appeared to be stable over time and was robust to sensitivity analyses. All symptom clusters significantly correlated with guilt. No effects were found for military v. civilian populations or clinical v. non-clinical samples. Effects were smaller for high-quality studies and larger for instruments based on DSM-5. Further significant moderators were type of guilt measure and trauma type. The largest association was found among participants reporting war-related trauma (r = 0.44, 95% CI 0.36-0.51) and the smallest among survivors of motor-vehicle accidents (r = 0.18, 95% CI 0.02-0.33). The results underpin the role of trauma-related guilt in the onset and maintenance of PTSD symptoms, which have important clinical implications. Future studies should further explore the change interactions of guilt and PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlke Kip
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Judith Diele
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Heinz Holling
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Reis D, Krautter K, Hart A, Friese M. Heterogeneity in mental health change during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany: The role of social factors. Stress Health 2022; 39:272-284. [PMID: 35778965 PMCID: PMC9350024 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a prolonged global crisis, but its effects on mental health seem inconsistent. This inconsistency highlights the importance of considering the differential impact of the pandemic on individuals. There is some evidence that mental health trajectories are heterogeneous and that both sociodemographic and personal characteristics are associated with higher risk for mental health issues. By contrast, information on the role of social factors as potential determinants of initial reactions to the pandemic and on heterogeneous trajectories over time is lacking. We analysed seven assessments of a large-scale (N = 2203) longitudinal study across 1.5 years, beginning in March 2020. Using self-report data on mental health and life satisfaction, we applied latent change models to examine initial reactions and mean changes across the pandemic. In addition, we applied latent class growth analyses to investigate whether there were distinct groups with different patterns of change. Results showed that on average, levels of life satisfaction and anxiety decreased (d = -0.31 and d = -0.11, respectively), levels of depressive symptoms increased (d = 0.13), and stress levels remained unchanged (d = -0.01) during the first year of the pandemic. For each outcome, we identified four distinct mental health trajectories. Between 5% (for anxiety) and 11% (for life satisfaction) of the sample reported consistently high-and even increasing-impairments in mental health and well-being. The trajectories of a sizeable number of people covaried with the course of the pandemic, such that people experienced better mental health when the number of COVID cases was low and when fewer restrictions were placed on public life. Low emotional support, high instrumental support, and the tendency to compare oneself with others were associated with more mental health issues. Findings show that whereas a substantial portion of people were largely unaffected by the pandemic, some individuals experienced consistently high levels of psychological distress. Social factors appear to play a crucial role in the maintenance of well-being.
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Personal Beliefs about Illness Questionnaire-Revised (PBIQ-R): Spanish adaptation in a clinical sample with psychotic disorders. Behav Cogn Psychother 2022; 50:528-537. [PMID: 35703494 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465822000248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The way people with psychosis psychologically adapt and manage the diagnosis of such a mental disorder has been considered a key factor that contributes to the emergence and aggravation of emotional problems. These beliefs about illness can be very important due to their possible association with stigma and its implications in terms of loss of roles and social status. Given the importance of these personal beliefs about the specific diagnosis of psychosis, the Personal Beliefs about Illness Questionnaire (PBIQ) and PBIQ-R have been developed. AIMS The present study aims to explore the psychometric characteristics of the Spanish version of the PBIQ-R in a sample of patients with a diagnosis of psychosis-related disorders. METHOD Participants were 155 patients (54.8% male) of the Public Health Service in Andalusia (Spain). Those who consented to participate filled in the PBIQ-R, the Social Comparison Scale, and the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to measure emotional symptoms. RESULTS All dimensions showed adequate internal consistency values: Cronbach's alpha extends between .81 and .88; and McDonald's omega ranges between .87 and .92. The temporal reliability for an interval of 3-4 weeks was high. The correlations between the PBIQ-R dimensions and the other variables included in the study were significant and in the expected direction. The factor analysis of the principal components of the PBIQ-R dimensions revealed a single factor in each of the dimensions that explained 64-74%. CONCLUSIONS The results support the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the PBIQ-R.
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Nickerson A, Byrow Y, O'Donnell M, Bryant RA, Mau V, McMahon T, Benson G, Liddell BJ. Cognitive mechanisms underlying the association between trauma exposure, mental health and social engagement in refugees: A longitudinal investigation. J Affect Disord 2022; 307:20-28. [PMID: 35341811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.03.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Refugees and asylum-seekers are at heightened risk for developing psychological symptoms following exposure to trauma and displacement. Despite this, relatively little is known about the cognitive mechanisms that underlie common mental disorders in refugees. METHODS In this study, we investigated the associations between self-efficacy, beliefs about others (relating to benevolence and trust) and psychological and social outcomes in 1079 refugees from Arabic, Farsi, Tamil or English-speaking backgrounds who were residing in Australia. Participants completed an online survey assessing exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs), at baseline (T1), and self-efficacy, beliefs about others, PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, anger and social engagement at baseline (T1) and six months later (T2). RESULTS A path analysis revealed that greater PTE exposure was associated with lower self-efficacy and lower positive beliefs about others at T1. Self-efficacy at T1 was negatively associated with depression and anger at T2, while positive beliefs about others at T1 were positively associated with social engagement and greater depression symptoms at T2. LIMITATIONS Limitations of this study included the fact that the study sample was not necessarily representative of the broader refugee population, and in particular may have overrepresented those with higher education levels. CONCLUSIONS Findings point to the critical role that cognitive variables play in the maintenance of psychological symptoms in forcibly displaced persons, and highlight the importance of targeting these in psychological interventions to promote positive posttraumatic mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Nickerson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yulisha Byrow
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Meaghan O'Donnell
- Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vicki Mau
- Australian Red Cross, North Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tadgh McMahon
- Settlement Services International, Ashfield, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Greg Benson
- Settlement Services International, Ashfield, NSW, Australia
| | - Belinda J Liddell
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Arigo D, Torous J. Development of a Mobile Assessment Tool for Understanding Social Comparison Processes Among Individuals With Schizophrenia: Two-Phase Survey Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e36541. [PMID: 35499856 PMCID: PMC9112081 DOI: 10.2196/36541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Digital tools may help to address social deficits in schizophrenia, particularly those that engage social comparison processes (ie, evaluating oneself relative to others). Yet, little is known about social comparison processes in schizophrenia or how best to capture between- versus within-person variability, which is critical to engaging comparisons in digital interventions. Objective The goals of this pilot study were to (1) better understand affective responses to social comparisons among individuals with schizophrenia, relative to healthy controls, using a validated global self-report measure; and (2) test a new brief, mobile assessment of affective responses to social comparison among individuals with schizophrenia, relative to the full measure. This study was conducted in 2 phases. Methods We first compared self-reported affective responses to social comparisons between individuals with schizophrenia (n=39) and healthy controls (n=38) using a traditional self-report measure, at 2 time points. We examined the temporal stability in responses and differences between groups. We then evaluated the performance of brief, mobile assessment of comparison responses among individuals with schizophrenia, completed over 12 weeks (n=31). Results Individuals with schizophrenia showed greater variability in affective responses to social comparison than controls on traditional measures and completed an average of 7.46 mobile assessments over 12 weeks. Mobile assessments captured within-person variability in affective responses in the natural environment (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.40-0.60). Average scores for mobile assessments were positively correlated with responses to traditional measures. Conclusions Affective responses to social comparison vary both between and within individuals with schizophrenia and capturing this variability via smartphone surveys shows some evidence of feasibility. As affective variability is a potential indicator of poor outcomes among individuals with mental health conditions, in the future, a brief, mobile assessment of affective responses to social comparisons may be useful for screening among individuals with schizophrenia. Further research on this process is needed to identify when specific comparison messaging may be most effective in digital interventions and could suggest new therapeutic targets for illnesses such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Arigo
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States.,Department of Family Medicine, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, United States
| | - John Torous
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Association Between School Bullying, Suicidal Ideation, and Eating Disorders Among School-Aged Children from Antioquia, Colombia. TRENDS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s43076-021-00101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): The Effects of the Need to Belong, Perceived Centrality, and Fear of Social Exclusion. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/4824256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
“Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) is an all-consuming feeling that is associated with mental and emotional stress. Such strains are caused by a compulsive concern that one is missing an opportunity for a socially rewarding experience often spotted on social media networks. While several personality and psychological factors have been empirically validated as correlated with FOMO, so far, little research has examined the effects of perceived group centrality (i.e., the extent to which group members feel included in the group) and fear of social exclusion on FOMO. Therefore, this study is aimed at examining the mechanism that links these socially driven factors and the need to belong with social media use and, consequently, FOMO, using structural equation modeling. A total of 490 college students (
) completed a self-reported questionnaire that included measures of FOMO, the need to belong, social media use, perceived centrality, and fear of social exclusion. The need to belong emerged as the best predictor of FOMO, increasing it both directly and indirectly through the significant mediation of social media use. Females reported a greater need to belong and consequently more FOMO. Females also reported greater use of social media and greater perceived group centrality. Perceived centrality increased FOMO through social media use, but this indirect effect was not significant.
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Moscardini EH, Robinson A, Calamia M, Tucker RP. Perfectionism and Suicidal Ideation. CRISIS 2022. [PMID: 35138181 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: The integrated motivational-volitional (IMV) model of suicidal behavior posits that defeat leads to suicidal ideation through increased vulnerability for feelings of entrapment. One potentially important vulnerability factor for the development of feelings of defeat is socially prescribed perfectionism. Aims: The current study investigated these relationships in a sample of 313 US adults. Method: Mediation and parallel mediation analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between defeat, entrapment, social prescribed perfectionism, negative social comparison, and rejection sensitivity. Results: Findings indicated that socially prescribed perfectionism was significantly related to defeat through both negative social comparison and rejection sensitivity even when controlling for depression symptoms. Negative social comparison and rejection sensitivity were related to entrapment through feelings of defeat. This relationship was strongest when analyzing externalized (vs. internalized) entrapment. Limitations: The findings were limited by the cross-sectional study design as well as the relatively homogeneous sample. Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma H Moscardini
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Anthony Robinson
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Matthew Calamia
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Raymond P Tucker
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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Morina N, Meyer T, Sickinghe M. How do I know how I am doing? Use of different types of comparison in judgment of well-being in patients seeking psychological treatment and healthy controls. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2022; 14:1369-1388. [PMID: 35014195 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Judgment of well-being is formed on the spot, and we know little about its foundations. We aimed at examining the role of comparison standards in informing evaluations of well-being in a clinical and a nonclinical sample. In a semi-structured face-to-face interview, individuals seeking psychological treatment and healthy control individuals rated how they have been feeling in general and relative to specific comparison standards and were each time invited to substantiate their ratings. Independent coders assessed number, type, direction, and specificity of reported comparisons. When asked to explain why they chose a particular rating of their well-being, 93% of clinical participants and 61% of nonclinical participants spontaneously reported some type of comparison standard. Both groups reported highest well-being ratings relative to social and past temporal comparisons and lowest relative to prospective temporal comparison. Furthermore, clinical participants engaged in more upward than downward comparisons, whereas this was not the case for healthy control participants. Our findings suggest that evaluations of well-being are informed by different comparison types and that individuals with clinical complaints use more comparisons when evaluating their well-being. The results encourage further investigation of comparative thinking as an underlying mechanism of judgment of well-being and ill-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marthe Sickinghe
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Morina N. Comparisons Inform Me Who I Am: A General Comparative-Processing Model of Self-Perception. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2021; 16:1281-1299. [PMID: 33615898 PMCID: PMC8564255 DOI: 10.1177/1745691620966788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
People's self-concept contributes to their sense of identity over time. Yet self-perception is motivated and serves survival and thus does not reflect stable inner states or accurate biographical accounts. Research indicates that different types of comparison standards act as reference frames in evaluating attributes that constitute the self. However, the role of comparisons in self-perception has been underestimated, arguably because of lack of a guiding framework that takes into account relevant aspects of comparison processes and their interdependence. I propose a general comparative model of self-perception that consists of a basic comparison process involving the individual's prior mental representation of the target dimension, the construal of the comparison standard, and the comparison outcome representing the posterior representation of the target dimension. The generated dimensional construal is then appraised with respect to one's motives and controllability and goes on to shape emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses. Contextual and personal factors influence the comparison process. This model may be informative in better understanding comparison processes in people's everyday lives and their role in shaping self-perception and in designing interventions to assist people overcome undesirable consequences of comparative behavior.
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Morina N. How am I doing compared to different standards? Comparative thinking and well-being following exposure to a vehicle-ramming attack. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2020; 11:1834179. [PMID: 33408809 PMCID: PMC7747930 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1834179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Exposure to potentially adverse events might intensify thinking about different comparison standards in relation to one's own well-being. Objective: To examine how frequently survivors of a recent potentially traumatic event use different comparison standards to evaluate their current well-being. Method: A survey with 223 participants directly or indirectly exposed to a vehicle-ramming attack was conducted. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, quality of life, and the sum score of the frequency of different types of comparison standards were assessed. The latter consisted of temporal, counterfactual, social, dimensional, and criteria-based comparisons. Results: In total, 98% of participants reported some form of comparative thinking during the last two weeks. The most frequent comparison types were temporal and dimensional comparisons, with 94 and 87% of participants reporting them, respectively. Notably, comparative thinking predicted unique variance in PTSD symptoms, over and above depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The results suggest that comparative thinking may be a significant factor in understanding psychological distress following exposure to aversive events. Replication of the results in larger samples and using longitudinal and experimental designs is clearly necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Kampmann IL, Meyer T, Morina N. Social comparison modulates coping with fear in virtual environments. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 72:102226. [PMID: 32361668 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Social comparison can guide adaptive behavior in fear-related situations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of social comparison standards on acute anxiety levels and phobic symptoms. The sample comprised 159 individuals (Mage = 23.4) with self-reported fear of flying (22.6 %) or fear of heights (77.4 %) who were randomly assigned to an upward assimilation (UA) manipulation, a downward assimilation (DA) manipulation, or a control condition (no manipulation of social comparison) and entered a fear-related scenario in virtual reality (i.e., flying in an airplane or walking in a tall building, respectively). Results revealed that individuals in the UA condition reported significantly attenuated increases in anxiety levels from pre-exposure to both during- and post-exposure relative to the control condition. The DA condition did not significantly differ from either condition regarding increases in acute anxiety levels from pre-exposure to either during or post-exposure. At post-assessment, participants in the UA condition also reported fewer phobic symptoms compared to both the DA and the control condition. Our results suggest that social comparison can indeed modulate coping with fearful situations. Future research needs to investigate the underlying processes of social comparison and the extent to which social comparison can facilitate treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel L Kampmann
- Institute of Psychology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Fliednerstraße 21, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Institute of Psychology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Fliednerstraße 21, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University Münster, Fliednerstraße 21, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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