MC Schokker et al. The impact of social comparison information on motivation in patients with diabetes as a function of regulatory focus and self-efficacy. Health Psychology, 2010;29:438-445.

Schokker and colleagues sought to determine whether the impact of upward and downward social comparison information on individuals' motivation to manage their diabetes is dependent on their regulatory focus (promotion or prevention focus) and self-efficacy. The hypotheses were examined in a cross-sectional study. Patients with diabetes (N = 234) read a fictitious interview with a fellow patient, either an upward or a downward target, and they filled out questionnaires. The main outcome measure was motivation to work on diabetes regulation. High promotion-focused patients reported more motivation than low promotion-focused patients when confronted with the upward target (positive role model). High prevention-focused patients reported more motivation than low prevention-focused patients when confronted with the downward target (negative role model). This latter finding was qualified by patients' self-efficacy, as it applied only to patients with relatively high levels of self-efficacy.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The current study highlighted the importance of considering individual differences when using role models to encourage self-care activities in persons with diabetes.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE CONSUMER: The study demonstrated the significance of motivation in diabetes. In addition, it pointed out the importance of self-efficacy in the self-management of chronic illness.