Individual-based relative deprivation as a response to interpersonal help: The roles of status discrepancy and type of help.

Individual-based relative deprivation (IRD) refers to anger and resentment associated with upward interpersonal comparison. Four studies investigated whether and when IRD can be a result of receiving help. In all the studies, we found an interaction between type of help (i.e., autonomy-oriented vs. dependency-oriented help) and status discrepancy such that participants experienced a higher level of IRD after receiving dependency-oriented help from a higher status helper than in other conditions. This interaction emerged uniquely on IRD, but not on general affect, self-esteem, or evaluations of helper. Moreover, Study 3 indicated that the perception of a diminished likelihood of changing mediated the impact of dependency-oriented, high-status help on IRD. Study 4 showed that IRD stemming from such help was positively associated with prioritizing self-interest over others'. Implications for research on help and IRD are discussed.