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IntroductionThroughout history, humanity has consistently sought to fulfill its desires and meet its needs. The sensation of relative deprivation arises when individuals feel they are denied what they rightfully deserve. This feeling reflects a disconnection between value expectations—such as aspirations and ideal living conditions—and value capabilities, which encompass the available opportunities and resources. Numerous economic, social, political, and cultural factors contribute to this sense of deprivation, including unemployment, inflation, corruption, poverty, consumerism, social media influences, and economic instability. In metropolitan areas like Tehran undergoing rapid social, economic, and cultural transformations, the feeling of relative deprivation becomes increasingly intricate. Social disparities, economic dissatisfaction, and widespread protests in recent decades highlight the prevalence of this sentiment among citizens. These unrests, which are driven by issues, such as economic challenges, lack of government accountability, restrictions on civil liberties, and declining public trust, often begin in Tehran before spreading to other regions. These factors have undermined the middle class, exacerbated relative poverty, and fostered a sense of hopelessness about the future. Consequently, the central question of this research was: What factors contribute to the emergence or mitigation of feelings of relative deprivation among residents of Tehran at the political (perceptions of government effectiveness and civil liberties), social (satisfaction of needs and social standing), and economic (labor relations and economic pressures) levels? Materials & MethodsThis research employed a descriptive-analytical approach, aimed at applied outcomes, and utilized a survey technique. The statistical population comprised citizens aged 18 to 70 years residing in the 22 districts of Tehran. To determine the sample size, the regression analysis method of Sample Power software was employed, resulting in a final sample of 255 participants. Sampling was conducted using a multistage cluster method. The 22 districts were categorized into 5 regions (north, south, central, east, and west) with each region further divided into neighborhoods and streets. Questionnaires were then distributed within selected residential blocks. The primary research instrument was a questionnaire that included standardized scales to measure variables, such as feelings of relative deprivation, perceptions of government inefficiency, economic structural pressures, unmet needs, diminishing civil liberties, low social status, and weak labor relations. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated through face and content validity, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, which indicated satisfactory reliability for the scales. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS software. Discussion of Results & ConclusionThe descriptive findings of this study indicated that the average feeling of relative deprivation among citizens of Tehran was notably high with 67.2 percent experiencing it at an elevated level. The analytical results revealed that as levels of unmet social needs and structural pressures increased, alongside perceptions of government inefficiency, the feeling of relative deprivation also intensified. Conversely, declines in social status, a weak structure of labor relations, and reduced political and civil freedoms contributed to heightened feelings of deprivation. Structural analysis of the research model demonstrated that the economic structural pressures index with a total effect of 0.904 and the variable of unmet social needs with a coefficient of 0.867 exerted the most significant direct and indirect influences on the relative deprivation experienced by Tehrani citizens. These findings highlighted that feelings of relative deprivation were prevalent among the population and stemmed from multiple factors. Key contributors included economic structural pressures (such as poverty, unemployment, and inflation), unmet social needs (encompassing biological, security, social, and self-actualization needs), and perceptions of government inefficiency. To mitigate feelings of relative deprivation, it is essential to enhance economic conditions, fulfill citizens' basic needs, and bolster trust in government through improved efficiency and accountability. Additionally, strengthening civil liberties, reforming the structure of labor relations, and elevating social status will also prove beneficial. Overall, these findings underscore the necessity of addressing various aspects of citizens' lives and implementing comprehensive policies aimed at reducing social disparities and enhancing public satisfaction.