| Abstract: | We examined social comparisons made by women with breast cancer who participated in peer‐support interventions. This setting. in which participants were exposed to similar others, allowed for a longitudinal investigation of the frequency, antecedents. and consequences of social comparison. Consistent with the literature, the majority of comparisons were made to worse‐off others (downward), and the majority of comparisons were associated with positive affect (positive comparisons). Low self‐esteem. low internal locus of control, and high illness uncertainty were associated with making more negative comparisons. In addition, negative comparisons were associated with a decrease in perceived control and an increase in uncertainty over time. whereas positive doanbard comparisons were associated with an increase in self‐esteem. Implications for support groups are discussed. |
