Exploring the use of social comparison by individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury

Objective: To explore if and how individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) use social comparison during adjustment to disability. It was hypothesized that comparison activity may change with time since injury. Methods: Fifty-eight participants with TBI were surveyed within 1 or 6 months of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Group responses to instruments measuring social comparison and other measures of emotional and physical functioning were compared. Results: Both groups expressed a need for social comparison at a rate comparable to non-clinical populations. The group surveyed at 6 months expressed a greater need for social comparison and scored lower on a measure of mental health, as compared to the group surveyed earlier. Conclusions: Individuals with TBI appear to successfully use social comparison, at least early in recovery, with a possible reduction in effectiveness of use with increased time from injury. Possible mediating factors and implications for adjustment and future study are discussed.