Theories for Building Better Peer Support: Theory 2 - Social Comparison Theory

If we want to build the influence of peer support, we need to think about how Peer Support Specialists can have the greatest positive impact on clients.  Theories about how people think and behave can be useful tools in that effort.

Social Comparison Theory is just such a useful tool.  This is a psychological theory that points out that we are constantly evaluating ourselves in relation to other people.  We do this consciously, and even unconsciously.  This constant comparison plays a significant role in self-image and greatly influences our happiness.  This is a normal process that happens continuously, but is particularly helpful for understanding how clients think about Peer Support Specialists.

This theory holds that there are three common types of social comparison: (1) upward social comparison, where we compare ourselves to someone we consider to be “better” than us (e.g., smarter, more status, ahead in their recovery); (b) downward social comparison, where we compare ourselves with someone we consider to be “not as good” as us (e.g not as talented, less status, behind in recovery); and (c) lateral social comparison, where we compare ourselves with someone who we see as relatively equal to us. 

Social Comparison Theory states that when we engage in upward comparisons, we often feel a sense of inferiority, though in some situations we can feel a sense of inspiration that can motivate us to change.  The key seems to be our relationship with the person who is “better” than us.  If we have a fairly close relationship with those people, we are more likely to feel inspired and motivated.  If the person is more distant or disliked, we tend to feel a greater sense of inferiority.

Peer Support Specialists are specifically responsible for working with people in recovery so that those clients can see people who are further along in that recovery.  Social Comparison Theory suggests that Peer Support Specialists can actually have a harmful impact, depending on the relationship they have with their clients.  I have heard clients who said that after meeting a Peer Support Specialist, they felt discouraged…. “I don’t think I can do what they are doing.  I don’t have the strengths they have.  I doubt I can recover!”.  I have also heard clients who described feeling motivated and inspired by knowing a Peer Support Specialist.  “I decided I wanted to be like her.  I have started doing everything she s doing because I want what she has in terms of recovery.”

The key to which impact a Peer Support Specialist has on a client appears to be whether the client sees themselves as similar to the peer in key ways.  The peer may be more advanced in recovery, but does the client (and the peer) see them as still very similar.

Social Comparison Theory suggests that Peer Support Specialists want to encourage positive upward comparisons by their clients, and to avoid negative upward comparisons.  To do this, you will want to consider the following strategies:

1.     Be aware that clients are making those comparisons constantly.  Recognize that this is a natural process, but that it can be both beneficial to the client and potentially harmful.

 2.     Build warm supportive relationships with clients.  Those relationships are associated with positive upward comparisons… “I want to be like them”.

3.     Avoid behaviors that create distance, competition, and/or dislike between you and your clients.  Those relationships are associated with negative upward comparisons “I can’t do what they have done!”

 4.     In your conversations with clients, and your recovery stories, emphasize how you are similar to them – similar in experience and abilities.  Talking openly about failures and pain often builds a sense of similarity.  Talking primarily about your successes will make you appear different from your clients.

 5.     Consider talking openly with clients about social comparisons.  Educating clients about how people routinely make social comparisons can help them recognize what they are doing.  They may have a pattern of making negative upward comparisons, and so you talking with them about this can help them change that pattern.  It can help them improve how they view you as well.

 6.     Be aware of your own patterns in social comparison, and seek to be healthy in the way you compare yourself to others.

 Social comparison is a natural process that we are all involved in.  The Peer Support Specialist role is designed to take advantage of social comparison in order to build hope and inspiration in clients.  It is important that we understand that it is a two-edged sword and that it exposure to Peer Support Specialists can actually discourage their clients’ chance of recovery.