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Subjective relative deprivation is associated with poorer physical and mental health

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  • Mishra, Sandeep
  • Carleton, R. Nicholas

Abstract

Substantial epidemiological evidence has shown that income inequality and objective measures of relative deprivation are associated with poorer health outcomes. However, surprisingly little research has examined whether subjective feelings of relative deprivation are similarly linked with poorer health outcomes. The relative deprivation hypothesis suggests that inequality affects health at the individual level through negative consequences of social comparison. We directly examined the relationship between subjective feelings of personal relative deprivation and self-reported physical and mental health in a diverse community sample (n = 328). Results demonstrated that subjective feelings of personal relative deprivation are associated with significantly poorer physical and mental health. These relationships held even when accounting for covariates that have been previously associated with both relative deprivation and health. These results further support the link between relative deprivation and health outcomes and suggest that addressing root causes of relative deprivation may lead to greater individual health.

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  • Mishra, Sandeep & Carleton, R. Nicholas, 2015. "Subjective relative deprivation is associated with poorer physical and mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 144-149.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:147:y:2015:i:c:p:144-149
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.030
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    16. Chee Hon Chan & Ho Kit Wong & Paul Siu Fai Yip, 2017. "Associations of relative income deprivation with perceived happiness and self-rated health among the Hong Kong Chinese population," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(6), pages 697-707, July.
    17. David Brady & Michaela Curran & Richard Carpiano, 2023. "A test of the predictive validity of relative versus absolute income for self-reported health and well-being in the United States," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 48(26), pages 775-808.
    18. Stark, Oded, 2021. "Why reducing relative deprivation but not reducing income inequality might bring down COVID-19 infections," Journal of Government and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 4(C).
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    20. Kuiyun Zhi & Qiurong Tan & Si Chen & Yongjin Chen & Xiaoqin Wu & Chenkai Xue & Anbang Song, 2022. "How Does Social Security Fairness Predict Trust in Government? The Serial Mediation Effects of Social Security Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-14, June.
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    22. Koyama, Yuna & Fujiwara, Takeo & Yagi, Junko & Mashiko, Hirobumi, 2022. "Association of parental dissatisfaction and perceived inequality of post-disaster recovery process with child mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    23. Harriet Thomson & Carolyn Snell & Stefan Bouzarovski, 2017. "Health, Well-Being and Energy Poverty in Europe: A Comparative Study of 32 European Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, May.

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