Online Peer Support and Patients’ Psychological Wellbeing: The Role of Optimistic and Pessimistic Social Comparisons

• In Event: Online Social Support and Health

Abstract

Due to mixed findings in research on the effectiveness of online peer support, there is a need for studies explaining when and why online support groups are beneficial for patients. The present study examines social comparison processes (i.e., upward identification, downward contrast, upward contrast, downward identification), online activity within the community, and patients’ psychological wellbeing. Results showed no direct associations between online activity and psychological wellbeing. Downward identification and upward contrast comparisons were related to lower levels of emotional wellbeing and higher levels of depression and breast cancer related concerns. A negative relationship between negative social comparisons (i.e., downward identification) and wellbeing appeared particularly prominent among patients who showed high levels of activity within the online support community.

Authors

• Anika Batenburg, Radboud University

• Enny Henrica Das, Radboud U Nijmegen

• Jolien Arendsen, VU U Amsterdam

• Cherrie Joy Billedo, VU University Amsterdam