title: Perceptions of similarity and response to selected comparison targets in type 2 diabetes.
abstract: 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's perceived similarity to a comparison target on motivation for self-care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals with type 2 diabetes (n = 180, MA1c = 7.59%) selected to read one of four brief descriptions of a patient with diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  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, η2 = .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.
authors: a Department of Psychology , The University of Scranton , Scranton , PA , USA.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Arigo
authors: Joshua M
authors: JM
authors: Smyth
authors: Jerry M
authors: JM
authors: Suls
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception
keywords: diabetes; illness self-care; motivation; perceived similarity; social comparison