Social support as a moderator of the big-fish-in-a-little-pond effect in online self-help support groups

被引:18
作者
Bane, Cynthia M. H.
Haymaker, Christopher M. B.
Zinchuk, Jessica
机构
[1] Wartburg Coll, Dept Social Sci, Waverly, IA 50677 USA
[2] Clin Hlth Psychol PLC, Waterloo, IA USA
[3] Marquette Univ, Milwaukee, WI 53233 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1111/j.1751-9861.2005.tb00015.x
中图分类号
B849 [应用心理学];
学科分类号
040203 ;
摘要
Downward social comparisons to others in a relatively unsuccessful group can bolster mood, a phenomenon known as the big-fish-in-a-little-pond effect (BFLPE). The current study examined social support as a moderator of the BFLPE in online weight-management support groups (SGs). Participants (N = 149) were recruited from weight-management message boards. In an Internet survey, participants made weight-related social comparisons to the average person and the average SG member. Big fish indicated that they would feel more self-pride after reading a downward social comparison message than did other participants, but the BFLPE occurred only for participants with lower weight-related social support. Social support could foster collective identity in online self-help support groups, reducing the BFLPE.
引用
收藏
页码:239 / 261
页数:23
相关论文
共 37 条
[1]  
[Anonymous], ADOLESENCE ED
[2]   EFFECTS OF SOCIAL-COMPARISON DIRECTION, THREAT, AND SELF-ESTEEM ON AFFECT, SELF-EVALUATION, AND EXPECTED SUCCESS [J].
ASPINWALL, LG ;
TAYLOR, SE .
JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 1993, 64 (05) :708-722
[3]   Can you see the real me? Activation and expression of the "true self" on the Internet [J].
Bargh, JA ;
McKenna, KYA ;
Fitzsimons, GM .
JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ISSUES, 2002, 58 (01) :33-48
[4]   Do Internet-based support interventions change perceptions of social support? An experimental trial of approaches for supporting diabetes self-management [J].
Barrera, M ;
Glasgow, RE ;
McKay, HG ;
Boles, SM ;
Feil, EG .
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, 2002, 30 (05) :637-654
[5]   Social comparisons among women with breast cancer: A longitudinal investigation [J].
Bogart, LM ;
Helgeson, VS .
JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 2000, 30 (03) :547-575
[6]   THE AFFECTIVE CONSEQUENCES OF SOCIAL-COMPARISON - EITHER DIRECTION HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS [J].
BUUNK, BP ;
TAYLOR, SE ;
DAKOF, GA ;
COLLINS, RL ;
VANYPEREN, NW .
JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 1990, 59 (06) :1238-1249
[7]  
BUUNK BP, 1997, HLTH COPING WELL BEI, P229
[8]   Health behavior changes after colon cancer: A comparison of findings from face-to-face and on-line focus groups [J].
Campbell, MK ;
Meier, A ;
Carr, C ;
Enga, Z ;
James, AS ;
Reedy, J ;
Zheng, B .
FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH, 2001, 24 (03) :88-103
[9]   THE IDEOLOGY OF ANTI-FAT ATTITUDES [J].
CRANDALL, C ;
BIERNAT, M .
JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 1990, 20 (03) :227-243
[10]   PREJUDICE AGAINST FAT PEOPLE - IDEOLOGY AND SELF-INTEREST [J].
CRANDALL, CS .
JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 1994, 66 (05) :882-894