Downward comparison to those who seem so much worse off than them puts in perspective how bad things could be for them. 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Individuals are attracted to others who share commonalities with themselves, such as psychiatric disorders, in order to establish a sense of normalcy.

Social comparison theory

Solomon, P. (2004). Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 27(4), 392. https://doi.org/10.2975/27.2004.392.401

Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients.

By interacting with others who are perceived to be better than them, peers are given a sense of optimism and something to strive toward. 

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