The role of social comparison in coping with rheumatoid arthritis: an interview study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the effects of participants' perceptions of support, ways of coping and feelings of control, on their accounts of well-being.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explored the dynamics of participants' accounts of coping with their everyday lives.

RESULTS

Four categories of coping mechanisms were evident in all participants' accounts: support during the medical consultation, nurse support, social support, and comparative strategies. This paper focuses on just one of the themes that emerged from our analysis. Further insight into coping mechanisms was provided by the prevalence of comparative coping strategies. A comparison with previous disease states was used by every participant. This comparison enhanced their sense of control and fostered a sense of well-being. Social comparison was used by seven participants to show themselves how fortunate they were in relation to others with RA.

CONCLUSION

Comparative coping has been identified as an important strategy adopted by these participants that could be explored in further intervention-based studies of coping.