Ashley L Merianos1, E Melinda Mahabee-Gittens2, Wura Jacobs3, Oluyomi Oloruntoba4, Adam E Barry5, Matthew Lee Smith6. 1. University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210068, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0068, USA. 2. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 2008, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. 3. Department of Kinesiology, California State University Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock, CA, 95382, USA. 4. School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Road, College Station, TX, 77843, USA. 5. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 332C Blocker Building, College Station, TX, 77843, USA. 6. Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, 212 Adriance Lab Road, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We assessed whether self-descriptions, self-perceptions, perceived substance use of friends, and actual substance use were associated with high school girls' frequency of making social comparisons to peers. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Adolescent Health Risk Behavior Survey data for 357 high school girls using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to those who "never/rarely" made social comparisons, participants who self-described as fearing something constantly (p = .014) and forced to imitate the people they like (p = .009) were more likely to "usually" compare themselves to peers. Participants who described themselves as feeling forced to imitate the people they like (p = .022), were not the person they would like to be (p = .005), and did not remain calm under pressure (p = .010), were more likely to "often/always" make social comparisons. Participants who perceived themselves as unattractive (p = .034) and self-centered (p = .016) were more likely to "often/always" make social comparisons. Participants who perceived a larger proportion of friends use illicit drugs were less likely to "usually" make social comparisons (p = .027). Participants who perceived a larger proportion of friends drink alcohol were more likely to "often/always" make social comparisons (p = .018). CONCLUSIONS: Girls who perceive and describe themselves more negatively are at increased odds of making social comparisons to peers.
BACKGROUND: We assessed whether self-descriptions, self-perceptions, perceived substance use of friends, and actual substance use were associated with high school girls' frequency of making social comparisons to peers. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Adolescent Health Risk Behavior Survey data for 357 high school girls using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to those who "never/rarely" made social comparisons, participants who self-described as fearing something constantly (p = .014) and forced to imitate the people they like (p = .009) were more likely to "usually" compare themselves to peers. Participants who described themselves as feeling forced to imitate the people they like (p = .022), were not the person they would like to be (p = .005), and did not remain calm under pressure (p = .010), were more likely to "often/always" make social comparisons. Participants who perceived themselves as unattractive (p = .034) and self-centered (p = .016) were more likely to "often/always" make social comparisons. Participants who perceived a larger proportion of friends use illicit drugs were less likely to "usually" make social comparisons (p = .027). Participants who perceived a larger proportion of friends drink alcohol were more likely to "often/always" make social comparisons (p = .018). CONCLUSIONS: Girls who perceive and describe themselves more negatively are at increased odds of making social comparisons to peers.
Authors: Ashley Bowman; Jennifer M Knack; Adam E Barry; Ashley L Merianos; Kelly L Wilson; E Lisako J McKyer; Matthew Lee Smith Journal: J Sch Nurs Date: 2019-08-07 Impact factor: 2.835
Authors: Phillippa C Diedrichs; Melissa J Atkinson; Kirsty M Garbett; Heidi Williamson; Emma Halliwell; Nichola Rumsey; George Leckie; Chris G Sibley; Fiona Kate Barlow Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2016-05-12 Impact factor: 4.267