Interpersonal comparison among caregivers of children with asthma.

Publisher: Routledge Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8807983 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1476-8321 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 08870446 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Psychol Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2010-> : Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge
Original Publication: Chur ; New York : Harwood Academic Publishers ; London : distributed by STBS Ltd., c1987-

Asthma*/psychology ; Asthma*/nursing ; Caregivers*/psychology ; Interpersonal Relations*; Humans ; Female ; Male ; Child ; Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Interviews as Topic ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent

Objective: We examined the extent to which caregivers of children with asthma used interpersonal comparisons -a novel comparison process that parallels social comparison and temporal comparison-to form judgments about their child. Methods & Measures: Using semi-structured interviews adapted from the McGill Illness Narrative Interview, we examined the interpersonal comparisons that caregivers of a child with asthma ( n  = 41) made regarding their child. Results: Interpersonal comparisons influenced caregiver thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They helped caregivers distinguish asthma from other breathing problems, evaluate the severity of the asthma, and understand their child's experience. However, they also created uncertainty by highlighting the complex, unpredictable nature of asthma. Interpersonal comparisons were a source of gratitude and hope, but also worry and frustration. Finally, interpersonal comparisons influenced caregivers' decisions and actions, resulting in decisions that aligned with and, at times, ran counter to biomedical models of asthma care. In some instances, caregivers used interpersonal comparisons to motivate their child's behavior. Conclusion: The interpersonal comparisons served as a source of information for caregivers trying to understand and manage their child's asthma. Investigating these comparisons also expands how we think about other comparison theories.

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R01 HL137680 United States HL NHLBI NIH HHS; UL1 TR002345 United States TR NCATS NIH HHS

Keywords: Social comparison; adolescents; temporal comparison

Date Created: 20220923 Date Completed: 20240624 Latest Revision: 20240626

20240626

PMC10030381

10.1080/08870446.2022.2125514

36147010