Wealth comparison across social distances: implications for well-being
Yingying Wu1, Qinglan Tang2, Zhongli Huang3
1Department of Business, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China.
Frontiers in Psychology
|December 12, 2025
Summary
Upward wealth comparisons negatively impact well-being, especially with friends. Stress mediates these effects, but life satisfaction and income can offer protection against social comparison disparities.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Pervasive upward wealth comparisons in a digitally connected, unequal world.
- Need to understand how social distance influences well-being impacts of wealth comparisons.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine the distinct effects of wealth comparisons across varying social distances (family, friends, internet) on well-being.
- Investigate the mediating role of stress and moderating effects of help-seeking behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Scenario-based questionnaire design to assess wealth comparison effects.
- Regression models and mediation analysis to test stress as a mediator.
- Exploration of heterogeneous effects across subgroups based on help-seeking behaviors.
Main Results:
- All wealth comparison groups negatively impacted well-being; friend comparisons showed the strongest effect.
- Stress was identified as a key mediator in these negative impacts.
- Life satisfaction and income acted as buffers against sensitivity to wealth disparities.
Conclusions:
- The risk associated with upward wealth comparisons is significantly influenced by social distance.
- Integrates offline and online social comparison dynamics, advancing social comparison theory.
- Provides insights for interventions aimed at mitigating negative well-being effects of social comparison.
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