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The impact of upward and downward social comparison on the mood states of high and low self-esteem persons was examined in a simulated support group setting. Subjects received bogus information indicating that a “group member” was either (a) facing minor problems adjusting to college and having difficulty coping with them (downward comparison condition), (b) facing minor problems and adjusting well (upward comparison), or (c) facing serious problems and coping relatively well with them. Results indicated that the downward comparison information improved the mood states of the low self-esteem subjects, but had little effect on the high self-esteem group. The opposite pattern of results was obtained in the upward comparison condition. In addition, both high and low self-esteem persons were encouraged by the information indicating that another person was coping successfully with rather severe problems. Results are discussed in terms of implications for social comparison theory and support groups.
Gibbons et al. (1989) studied this question.