Examining the between‐ and within‐person effects of relative deprivation: Results from a 7‐year longitudinal panel sample

Abstract Despite the extensive literature on relative deprivation theory, few studies have examined the longitudinal effects of individual‐ and group‐based relative deprivation (IRD and GRD, respectively) on individual‐ and group‐based outcomes, nor has research investigated the between‐person and within‐person effects of these constructs. Using two random intercept cross‐lagged panel models, we address these oversights by estimating the between‐person and average annual within‐person associations IRD and GRD have with psychological distress and collective action support in a nation‐wide longitudinal panel sample ( N = 64,607). As expected, IRD and GRD were more strongly associated with psychological distress and collective action support, respectively, at the between‐person level and contemporaneously at the within‐person level. However, contrary to expectations, temporary departures in IRD and GRD predicted within‐person increases in collective action support and psychological distress, respectively. These results raise questions about how and when people respond to inequality and provide the foundations for future longitudinal research.