RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Relative Deprivation and Health JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 459 OP 481 DO 10.3368/jhr.46.3.459 VO 46 IS 3 A1 Eiji Mangyo A1 Albert Park YR 2011 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/46/3/459.abstract AB We examine the extent to which self-reported health and psychosocial health are affected by relative economic status in China, for the first time examining the importance of reference groups not defined by geographic location or demographic characteristics. We propose a methodology to address potential bias from subjective reporting biases and control for unobserved community characteristics. Analyzing a nationally representative data set from China, our findings support the relative deprivation hypothesis and suggest that relatives and classmates are salient reference groups for urban residents and neighbors are important for rural residents.