Examining the Impact of Relative Deprivation on the Tendency Toward Violence With the Mediation of Perception of Social Justice (Case Study: Youth in Hengyang, China)

Youth violence is a critical social issue, often linked to feelings of relative deprivation (RD) and perceptions of social injustice. Understanding how these factors interact can inform strategies to reduce violence among young people. This study examines the impact of RD on youth violence tendencies, with a specific focus on the mediating role of the perception of social justice. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,500 young people aged 20 to 30 in a major urban center in China, selected through convenience sampling. Structural equation modeling using SmartPLS assessed the relationships between RD, social justice perception, and youth violence. RD was positively associated with youth violence tendency (β = .45, <i>p</i> < .001). The perception of social justice significantly mediated this relationship, reducing the direct effect of deprivation on violence (β = -.15, <i>p</i> < .001). Both distributive and procedural justice played critical roles in moderating youth responses to perceived deprivation. Results of this evaluation suggested that RD may increase the likelihood of youth violence, and that perceptions of social justice may mitigate this association. Addressing socioeconomic inequalities and enhancing fairness in resource distribution and decision-making processes are crucial strategies to reduce youth violence.