The association between the sense of relative deprivation and depression among college students: gender differences and mediation analysis

The sense of relative deprivation, reflecting individuals' self-perceived poor social comparison, is widespread among current college students. However, it remains unclear the impact and potential mediators of this adverse perception on the mental health of this group, and whether this association differs between males and females. The study aimed to investigate the effects of the sense of relative deprivation on depression in this group and their potential mediators and to explore the differences in these effects in males and females. This study, which was planned as relational and cross-sectional, by questionnaire method, consisted of 2576 college students. Single- and multi-cluster structural equation models were constructed in the sample. Results showed that the sense of relative deprivation in college students was associated with depression. Smartphone addiction and sleep together played a pathway role, mediating 31.793% of the association. Additionally, male college students showed a stronger sense of relative deprivation compared to females, and the effect of this adverse perception on smartphone addiction and depression was also found to be greater in this group. Our results highlight the detrimental effects of subjective relative deprivation on college students' mental health, suggesting that males may be more likely to develop smartphone addiction and decreased sleep quality after experiencing a sense of relative deprivation, which may further lead to increased depressive symptoms.