Relative Deprivation and Psychological Well-Being Among Residents of Public Housing Targeted for Participation in a Self-Sufficiency Intervention

Abstract

Data for this analysis, linking perceived deprivation and psychological well-being, were from a needs assessment administered to African-American residents of public housing selected as potential participants in a self-sufficiency intervention (n = 77). Regression analyses indicated that the belief that one is well off economically relative to others was associated with optimism about the future, hostility, and a negative self-image. Although these findings are counterintuitive, they are readily interpretable within the context of the literature on status striving and social mobility among groups with limited opportunities. Future research is needed to clarify the nature of the relationships between these variables and their practical implications in an era of national welfare reform.

Key Words:

• Perceived deprivation
• psychological well-being
• reference groups