title: The frequency, nature, and effects of naturally occurring appearance-focused social comparisons.
abstract: This research examined the effects of naturally occurring appearance-focused social comparisons on women's affect, body satisfaction, and weight-related cognitions. During their daily activities, women reporting body dissatisfaction (n=53) and women reporting body satisfaction (n=34) recorded their reactions to comparison information. Body-dissatisfied women engaged in more comparisons and a greater proportion of upward comparisons than body-satisfied women. Upward comparisons were associated with an increase in negative affect, body dissatisfaction, and thoughts of exercising for both groups; however, body-dissatisfied women experienced a greater increase in thoughts of dieting following upward comparisons. The daily effects of comparison information on body-dissatisfied women were examined; upward comparisons were associated with increases in daily negative affect, body dissatisfaction, and weight-related cognitions.
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, Department of Psychology, 44242, USA. tleahey@kent.edu
authors.forename: Tricia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Leahey
authors.forename: Janis H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Crowther
authors.forename: Kristin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Mickelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001504:Beauty; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012938:Social Perception