Perceptions of similarity and response to selected comparison targets in type 2 diabetes.

Objective:Social comparisons (i.e. self-evaluations relative to others) may affect motivation for diabetes self-care behaviours. Comparisons can have either positive or negative effects, but it is not clear what differentiates these responses. This study tested the effect of a patient’sperceived similarityto a comparison target on motivation for self-care. Design:Individuals with type 2 diabetes (n = 180,MA1c = 7.59%) selected to read one of four brief descriptions of a patient with diabetes. Main outcome measures:Participants rated their motivation for self-care behaviours prior and subsequent to reading and reported the extent to which they focused on similarities between the self and the selected patient while reading. Results:Perceived similarity moderated the effect of selection on motivation for self-care (p = .01,?2?=?.06). Increased motivation was observed if participants focused on similarities with patients ‘doing better’ (i.e. high coping effectiveness/low symptom severity) and decreased motivation if they focused on similarities with patients ‘doing worse’ (low coping effectiveness/high symptom severity). Conclusions:Providing social comparison information in diabetes management (and perhaps other chronic diseases) may improve motivation for self-care among some patients. A subset of patients, however, may benefit from guidance to focus on similarities with certain targets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]