Relative Deprivation in Context: How Context-level Inequality and Diversity Shape Health Disparities

• In Event: 2184 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 19. Contextual Factors and Health

Abstract

We examine the relationship between disadvantaged social status and adverse health outcomes within a context-contingent thesis of relative deprivation. We argue that the health effect of low relative status depends on whether a social context marginalizes the possessors of the status, with two conditions at work interactively: 1) some people have a relatively deprived status, and 2) such status is marginalized in their local context. Applying mixed effect modeling to the 2013 Chinese General Social Survey and exploring the moderation effects, we found that 1) people in the bottom socioeconomic quartile report significantly better mental and physical health when contextual income inequality is lower; 2) racial-ethnic minorities report significantly better mental and physical health when contextual ethnic diversity is higher; and 3) a religious minority group (Christians) reports significantly better mental health when contextual religious diversity is higher. Overall, the health disparities between low- and high-status groups weaken or disappear when the local context does not marginalize the individuals with relative deprivation. This study suggests that health disparities in a heterogeneous society are an interactive product of contextual marginalization and relative deprivation, and we should consider the nature of the social environment where relative deprivation occurs in order to reduce health disparities along the social gradient.

Authors

• Xiaozhao Yousef Yang

• Anning Hu, Fudan University