Social Comparison and Stress Appraisal in Women with Chronic Illness

Terol-Cantero, María Carmen; Bernabé, Miguel; Gelabert, Maite Martín-Aragón; Vázquez, Carolina Castañeda; Buunk, Abraham P.

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105483

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Others have reported similar results where downward social comparison was associated with active coping, seeking social support, reinterpretation of the event and psychological growth ( Van der Zee et al, 2000 ). Patients who suffers from chronic illness, including breast cancer tend to engage in downward social comparison to gain a sense of well-being when they are overwhelmed, unsecure, or feel loss of control over their illness ( Terol Cantero et al, 2021 ). Ascribing new meaning to the cancer illness through assimilation may be beneficial or potentially harmful, and according to the meaning making model, beneficial outcomes are likely when there is a reduction of discrepancy between the new meaning ascribed to the situation and global meaning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

et al. 2021

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Objectives: This study aims to explore in depth the meaning and meaning discrepancies among older Norwegian breast cancer survivors in light of the meaning making model by Park (2013).Design: We utilized a qualitative design collecting data using semi-structured interviews of 23 elderly breast cancer survivors 7–8 years after treatment. The interviews followed an interview guide structured along three main themes: “everyday life activities,” “follow-up-care experiences” and “health status and QoL.”Results: Several health problems were reported by the women in the aftermaths of the disease, such as sleeping problems, pain, and fatigue—including cognitive and emotional impairments. Meaning discrepancies were concentrated on six main themes: shifting perspectives and priorities, growing sense of autonomy, widening the limits of normality, dissociating oneself from the disease, embracing alternative health services, and feeling lucky. The women engaged in a wide range of coping techniques as efforts to change global meaning, and to develop a more positive view on the cancer experience. Common coping efforts across the six main themes were social comparison, denial, positive reappraisal, problem-focused coping, and revaluing ordinary events.Conclusion: Many cancer patients report on unmet needs for help with their meaning making, and the facilitation of meaning making processes is rarely included in the follow-up care of cancer survivors. The findings of the present study may help health care professionals provide care for women who have experienced breast cancer. The concrete knowledge of common coping efforts in the meaning making process may contribute to the development of future interventions and for gaining a deeper understanding for older survivors of breast cancer.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

et al. 2021

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“…Women in midlife with elevated risk for CVD rely on social networks for support and positive modeling, particularly during times of high stress (Cantero et al., 2021). Precautions against the spread of COVID‐19 during the first 6 months of the pandemic—particularly stay‐at‐home orders—could have limited positive social experiences at a time of heightened need.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic introduced novel stressors, particularly for already‐vulnerable adults such as those with existing CVD risks (Matsushita et al., 2020). Early precautions against the spread of COVID‐19 also interrupted normal activities and could have limited women's access to known buffers against stress (e.g., social support, self‐enhancing social comparisons [self‐evaluations relative to others]; Cantero et al., 2021; Uchino, 2009). The potential for significant worsening of social experiences—particularly reductions in positive social interactions—received considerable attention early in the pandemic (Thunström et al., 2020; Venkatesh & Edirappuli, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's social experiences before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A 3‐part measurement burst study among women in midlife with health risks

Arigo

2023

Social & Personality Psych

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Women in midlife (ages 40–60) with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) often rely on social networks during times of high stress. Precautions against the spread of COVID‐19—particularly stay‐at‐home‐orders—could have limited positive social experiences during a stressful time, but also could have reduced unwanted negative social experiences. This report presents findings from an ecological momentary assessment study that used 3 bursts of 5 surveys per day for 5 days, to test for changes in women's social experiences: prior to COVID‐19 (2019), during stay‐at‐home‐orders (April‐May 2020), and during initial reopening (August‐September 2020). Participants were women aged 40–60 with one or more CVD risk factors (e.g., hypertension; N = 35, MAge = 51, MBMI = 32.2 kg/m2). Momentary reports showed that the number of positive interactions experienced in daily life did not significantly change from before to during the pandemic; positive interactions were more variable during stay‐at‐home orders than pre‐COVID, but rebounded by initial reopening (to pre‐COVID levels). In contrast, the number of negative social interactions and social comparisons decreased from before COVID to stay‐at‐home orders, and remained lower during initial reopening; these experiences were also less variable during stay‐at‐home orders and initial reopening than before COVID‐19. Thus, in a vulnerable group of women with health risks, there is little evidence that social experiences worsened during the first 6 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic; decreases in (potentially) negative social experiences may be a small but beneficial side effect of short‐term public health precautions.

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“…Alternatively, they can highlight the resemblances (downward identification). SC is ubiquitous when there is uncertainty and an information gap and is especially frequent among chronic illnesses [ 49 ]. Patients look for answers by mirroring people with the same health condition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, the evidence shows that frequent SC can trigger destructive emotions and behaviors [ 50 ]. Furthermore, stress appraisal, including intolerance of uncertainty, has been proven as a predictor of SC [ 49 , 51 ]. In order to prevent it, Cabrera-Perona [ 52 ] suggests promoting upward identification in SC for intervention programs for chronic pain and fibromyalgia patients due to its self-improvement effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patients’ Lived Experience in a Multicomponent Intervention for Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Primary Care: A Qualitative Interview Study

Arfuch

Angelats

Martín

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) disrupts patients’ biopsychosocial spheres. A multicomponent intervention (MCI) program, which combined health education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical activity, was conducted in South Catalonia’s primary care centers with the aim of improving symptom self-management and quality of life. A qualitative interview study was carried out to understand patients’ lived experiences during the intervention program. Sampled purposively, 10 patients were interviewed via phone calls and face-to-face. The encounters were audio-recorded, verbatim transcribed, and analyzed through thematic analysis. As a result, four themes emerged: legitimizing fibromyalgia through the MCI, the MCI as a socializing experience, learning how to live with FMS through the MCI, and room for improving the MCI. Participants agreed on the program being an insightful experience that promoted illness knowledge and acceptance and that improved their coping skills and symptom self-management. The inclusion of additional psychological guidance, expressive psychological group therapy, and providing relatives with information were proposed for enhancing the program. Our findings have contributed to gaining insight into the subjective impact of the MCI and identifying new therapeutic targets to tailor the program to patients’ needs, which will hopefully increase its effectiveness and improve their quality of life.

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Social Comparison and Stress Appraisal in Women with Chronic Illness

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

Women's social experiences before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A 3‐part measurement burst study among women in midlife with health risks

Patients’ Lived Experience in a Multicomponent Intervention for Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Primary Care: A Qualitative Interview Study

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