The Psychological Effects of Upward Comparison: A Study on Guilt and Compensatory Food Choices

Öz

This study examines how upward social comparison processes are related to women's feelings of guilt and compensatory food choices. The research specifically aims to reveal how norms originating from social media, family, and close circles structure expectations regarding body image and proper nutrition, and how these structures are reflected in daily food decisions. Within this framework, nutritional behaviors are considered not only as individual health preferences but also as meaning-making practices intertwined with societal expectations and cultural body ideals. The study was conducted using a qualitative research design; semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women of varying ages, professions, and education levels who regularly attend gyms in Konya city center. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on the principles of grounded theory and axis coding, and recurring patterns of emotions, thoughts, and practices in the participants' narratives were interpreted within a relational framework. The findings show that participants construct upward social comparisons through body image, healthy eating, and ideals of a fit lifestyle. These comparisons generate feelings such as guilt, inadequacy, shame, and self-criticism; These emotions trigger a tendency toward compensatory strategies in daily food choices. Following feelings of guilt, participants either turn to control-oriented choices such as skipping meals and restricting calories, or seek emotional relief through foods like chocolate and pastries; this creates a cyclical structure that perpetuates itself between social comparison, guilt, and food preference. The study reveals that compensatory food choices gain meaning within cultural norms, female roles, and societal body ideals, beyond individual will.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Social comparison
• guilt
• compensatory food choice
• women
• cultural norms

Yukarıya Kıyaslamanın Psikolojik Etkileri: Suçluluk ve Telafi Edici Yiyecek Seçimleri Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Öz

Bu çalışma, yukarıya yönelik sosyal kıyaslama süreçlerinin kadınların suçluluk duyguları ve telafi edici yiyecek seçimleriyle nasıl ilişkisel olarak örüldüğünü incelemektedir. Araştırma, özellikle sosyal medya, aile ve yakın çevre kaynaklı normların beden görünümü ve doğru beslenme beklentilerini nasıl yapılandırdığını ve bu yapıların gündelik yiyecek kararlarına nasıl yansıdığını ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çerçevede beslenme davranışları yalnızca bireysel sağlık tercihleri olarak değil, toplumsal beklentiler ve kültürel beden idealleriyle iç içe geçen anlam pratikleri olarak ele alınmaktadır. Çalışma nitel araştırma deseniyle yürütülmüş; Konya merkezde düzenli olarak spor salonuna devam eden, farklı yaş, meslek ve eğitim düzeylerine sahip 16 kadınla yarı yapılandırılmış derinlemesine görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, temellendirilmiş kuram yaklaşımının açık ve eksen kodlama ilkelerine dayalı tematik analizle çözümlenmiş ve katılımcı anlatılarındaki tekrar eden duygu, düşünce ve pratik örüntüleri ilişkisel bir çerçevede yorumlanmıştır. Bulgular, katılımcıların yukarıya sosyal kıyaslamayı beden görünümü, sağlıklı beslenme ve fit yaşam idealleri üzerinden kurduklarını göstermektedir. Bu kıyaslamalar suçluluk, yetersizlik, utanç ve öz-eleştiri gibi duygular üretmekte; bu duygular gündelik yiyecek seçimlerinde telafi edici stratejilere yönelimi tetiklemektedir. Katılımcılar suçluluk sonrası ya öğün atlama ve kalori kısıtlama gibi kontrol odaklı seçimlere ya da çikolata ve hamur işi gibi yiyeceklerle duygusal rahatlamaya yönelmekte; bu da sosyal kıyaslama, suçluluk ve yiyecek tercihi arasında kendini sürdüren döngüsel bir yapı oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma, telafi edici yiyecek seçimlerinin bireysel iradenin ötesinde kültürel normlar, kadınlık rolleri ve toplumsal beden idealleri içinde anlam kazandığını ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sosyal kıyaslama
• suçluluk
• telafi edici yiyecek seçimi
• kadınlar
• kültürel normlar

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu çalışma herhangi bir kurum/kuruluş ve kişi tarafından desteklenmemiştir.

Etik Beyan

Araştırma için Siirt Üniversitesi Etik Kurulu’ndan 03.11.2025 tarih ve 1334 sayılı izin alınmıştır.

Kaynakça

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