title: Social comparison and anxious mood in pulmonary rehabilitation: the role of cognitive focus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comorbid anxiety is highly prevalent in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and it is related to increased morbidity and mortality. It has consistently been found that social comparison has substantial impact on mood. However, despite the strong social component of pulmonary rehabilitation, the effect of social comparison processes on anxiety has not been explored in this context.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 43 COPD patients enrolled in a 3-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. We tested in a longitudinal design the relationship between social comparison and assimilation and contrast at the beginning of rehabilitation and anxious mood at the end of the programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using moderator analysis, we tested whether perceived similarities and differences to upward and downward social comparison standards influence the relationship between comparison direction at the beginning of the programme and anxious mood at the end of the programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relationship between social comparison at the start of rehabilitation and anxious mood at the end of the programme was dependent on assimilation and contrast to upward and downward standards. Downward assimilation and upward contrast were related to a stronger relationship of upward and downward social comparison and anxious mood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the important role of social comparison focus in moderating beneficial effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. Downward assimilation and upward contrast might be important targets in reducing anxiety in pulmonary rehabilitation.
authors: K.U. Leuven, Belgium. sibylle.petersen@psy.kuleuven.be
authors: Sibylle
authors: S
authors: Petersen
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Taube
authors: Kirsten
authors: K
authors: Lehmann
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Van den Bergh
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: von Leupoldt
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception