Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Department of Management, Malayer Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, Iran
2
Department of Management, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Life satisfaction, a core evaluative component of subjective well-being, is inherently relative. Social comparison theory posits that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. Despite six decades of research, a comprehensive synthesis of how different comparison processes, moderators, and modern digital contexts shape global life judgments is needed.
Objective: This review aims to systematically synthesize theoretical and empirical evidence on the role of social comparison in life satisfaction formation, identify key mechanisms and moderators, and highlight gaps for future research.
Methods: A narrative review methodology was employed. Scholarly databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science) were searched for English-language articles and key texts from 1954 to 2025. Search terms included "social comparison," "life satisfaction," "subjective well-being," "reference group," and related constructs. Theoretical frameworks, landmark studies, and recent empirical findings were integrated.
Results: The review confirms social comparison as a fundamental, dual-pathway mechanism. Upward comparisons typically reduce life satisfaction through contrast effects but can increase it via inspiration (assimilation). Downward comparisons generally enhance satisfaction through contrast but can induce fear. Impact is moderated by individual differences (e.g., Neuroticism, Social Comparison Orientation), target similarity, and cultural context. The pervasive influence of social media, characterized by curated upward comparisons, is strongly associated with diminished life satisfaction.
Conclusion: Life satisfaction is profoundly constructed through comparative evaluation. The effect direction hinges on cognitive processes (assimilation/contrast), target selection, and dispositional traits. In the digital age, understanding and mitigating the negative impacts of maladaptive comparison, while harnessing its potential for motivation, is a critical public health concern. Future research must employ longitudinal designs and explore intervention strategies.
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