Unraveling Social Comparison in Mental Health: A Process-Based Model and a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence

Abstract

Social comparison can fundamentally shape health perceptions. Building on existing literature, we first introduce a process model of health-related social comparison that consists of (a) seeking or encountering self-relevant social information, (b) evaluating self-attributes relative to social standards and generating a posterior target construal, (c) valuation of the comparison outcome based on personal motives and coping, and (d) affective, cognitive, and behavior responses. Second, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize existing knowledge about social comparison in populations with mental disorders. We systematically searched Medline, PsycInfo, and Web of Science. The included 72 studies suggest a strong correlation between social comparison and mental health. However, there is lack of research addressing the appraisal of the comparison outcomes and the reciprocal, longitudinal relationship between social comparison and health. Last, based on our model and meta-analytical results, we offer recommendations to inform future investigations of social comparison in mental health.