The role of comparison processes in maintenance goals: Evidence from the health and relationship domains

This research examined how mental comparisons impact maintenance striving-the ongoing care for one's valued current state-with implications for understanding daily struggles to maintain personal health and well-being. Following the ternary goal model, we hypothesized that (H1) maintenance goals, differently from progress goals, are not motivated by upward social comparisons, which reduce appreciation for current states, and that (H2) maintenance goals are motivated by upward self-comparisons, wh