Examining Social Comparison in Relation to Disordered Eating and Depressive Symptoms in Older Women

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to examine social comparison as a transdiagnostic factor for disordered eating and depression in older women. METHOD: Ninety-six women ages 65 and older completed a survey online or on paper that included the assessment of general comparison, body-specific comparison, restrictive eating, bulimic symptoms, depressive symptoms, and self-compassion. RESULTS: Both general comparison and body-specific comparison were positively associated with restrictive eating, bulimic symptoms, and depressive symptoms (rs: 0.26-0.48). Self-compassion attenuated the association between general comparison and bulimic symptoms, as well as the associations between body-specific comparison and both restrictive eating and depressive symptoms. The combination of high levels of comparison and low levels of self-compassion was associated with the highest levels of psychopathology. DISCUSSION: Social comparison and self-compassion appear to have transdiagnostic roles, as potential risk factors and protective factors, respectively, for older women across disordered eating and depression. Given elevations in disordered eating and depression in older women, considering social comparison and self-compassion as part of a transdiagnostic approach is worth exploring.