Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Downward comparison and coping with serious medical problems.

Glenn Affleck1, Howard Tennen1, Carol Pfeiffer1

  • 1University of Connecticut Health Center.

The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|October 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Mothers of high-risk infants and rheumatoid arthritis patients often use downward social comparisons. This strategy was linked to better perceived adjustment in arthritis patients, regardless of illness severity.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Longitudinal Examination of Sexual (Re)victimization and Maturing Out of Problem Drinking from College to Adulthood.

Journal of interpersonal violence·2026
Same author

Dutasteride as a Treatment to Support Reduced Drinking: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Journal of addiction medicine·2025
Same author

Family history of alcohol use disorder and stress-reactivity.

Anxiety, stress, and coping·2025
Same author

A Longitudinal Examination of Stress, Affect Dynamics, and Alcohol-Related Outcomes Across Emerging Adulthood.

Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)·2025
Same author

Drinking to Cope Motivation in College as a Predictor of Post-College Interpersonal Problems and Depressive Symptoms.

Substance use & misuse·2025
Same author

Effects of sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythms on daily pain severity in women with temporomandibular disorders.

Pain·2025

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Background:

  • Social comparison theory suggests individuals evaluate themselves by comparing to others.
  • Downward social comparisons (comparing to those perceived as worse off) may serve self-protective functions.
  • Limited research exists on selective social comparison strategies in mothers of high-risk infants and rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlates of selective social comparisons in two distinct high-stress populations: mothers of high-risk infants and individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • To examine the relationship between making downward comparisons and perceived psychological adjustment in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Main Methods:

  • A correlational study design was employed.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Participants included mothers of high-risk infants and individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Data were collected on the types of social comparisons made and, for arthritis patients, healthcare provider ratings of adjustment.

    • Main Results:

    • Mothers of high-risk infants demonstrated a significant tendency to engage in downward social comparisons.
    • Rheumatoid arthritis patients who made downward comparisons were perceived by healthcare providers as more positively adjusted.
    • The positive association between downward comparisons and perceived adjustment in arthritis patients was independent of the actual severity of their illness.

    Conclusions:

    • Selective downward social comparison appears to be a prevalent coping mechanism in mothers of high-risk infants.
    • Engaging in downward comparisons may foster a perception of better psychological adjustment among rheumatoid arthritis patients.
    • Findings suggest potential benefits of supporting these comparison strategies for individuals facing significant health challenges.