Social comparison is an important aspect of human behavior whereby individuals compare themselves to others around them to evaluate their own status and identity. This phenomenon can be observed across different domains such as physical appearance, material wealth, and social status among many others. In the context of LGBTQ+ communities, social comparison has been shown to impact individuals' sense of self-worth, belongingness, and overall wellbeing. Research has demonstrated that queer individuals who engage in negative comparisons with their peers are more likely to experience decreased self-esteem and increased feelings of isolation and disconnection from their community.
One study conducted by Brewster et al. (2018) examined the effects of comparing oneself favorably or unfavorably with other members of the queer community on participants' self-esteem and belongingness. Participants were randomly assigned to either view positive or negative images of same-sex couples before completing measures of self-esteem and belongingness. The results revealed that those who viewed positive images reported higher levels of both self-esteem and belongingness compared to those who viewed negative images.
The researchers found that those who engaged in positive social comparisons reported lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to those who engaged in negative comparisons. These findings suggest that positive social comparisons within the queer community can have a protective effect against mental health issues.
Another study by Pachankis et al. (2017) explored how social comparison may contribute to the formation of sexual identities. The authors hypothesized that gay men who compare themselves positively to other gay men are more likely to adopt an integrated identity (i.e., a sense of cohesion between one's sexuality and gender identity), whereas those who make negative comparisons are more likely to maintain a separate identity (i.e., a distinction between one's sexuality and gender identity). To test this hypothesis, the researchers surveyed over 300 gay and bisexual men about their experiences of social comparison and asked them to rate their level of comfort with various aspects of being gay. Those who made positive comparisons reported greater integration of their sexual and gender identities than those who made negative comparisons.
These individuals also experienced increased feelings of pride and acceptance from their peers.
These studies highlight the importance of fostering positive social comparisons among queer individuals as a way to promote psychological wellbeing.
It is important to note that social comparisons alone cannot completely determine one's sense of belonging or self-esteem. Other factors such as personal attributes, external circumstances, and cultural contexts play a role in shaping one's experience within the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, additional research is needed to further understand the nuanced mechanisms underlying these phenomena.
How does social comparison within the queer community influence self-esteem and belonging?
Social comparison is an important aspect of human behavior that involves comparing oneself with others in order to gain information about one's abilities, status, value, or worth. Within the queer community, this process can have significant implications for individuals' sense of identity, belonging, and self-esteem. On the one hand, positive comparisons may boost self-esteem by providing affirmation that one belongs to a group that values them as equal or superior.