Social Comparison within Self-help Groups

This study used a qualitative approach to examine the experiences of parents participating as members of the Duchenne Family Support Group (DFSG), with a focus on whether social comparison occurred within this group. Eight parents were interviewed about their experiences of being a member. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes inductively. The study uncovered a wide range of social comparisons, including upward and downward comparisons on illness and coping dimensions, with both positive and negative affects. The results highlighted the complexity of socially comparing within the context of chronic illness, particularly in an illness in which deterioration is inevitable.