People with a sense of entitlement may be more likely to make unethical decisions, break rules and engage in hostile behavior. Furthermore, they tend not to apologize for their mistakes nor follow instructions closely.
These traits may lead to a cycle of frustration and disappointment that feeds on itself, creating self-reinforcing effects with long-lasting psychological and social repercussions.
Sense of Deservingness
An unearned sense of entitlement can cause major problems in relationships, particularly romantic ones, as it leads to feelings of resentment and frustration as well as unhealthy behaviors.
Relationships that demonstrate psychological entitlement may experience negative responses to conflict, become more self-centered and game-playing, and less willing to consider their partners’ perspectives. They may even blame their partners for their own misfortunes or seek revenge when their expectations aren’t met (Doron et al., 2012a).
Relationships that become strained or toxic often leave one feeling resentful and disappointed with how things turned out.
Mental illness may develop if someone experiences excessive anxiety and resentment due to their circumstances. This could manifest as depression, irritability, and low self-worth.
Entitlement can come from many sources, such as spoiled children or personality disorders. In some cases, those with a sense of entitlement might also have another personality disorder like narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder.
If you are struggling with a feeling of entitlement, it’s essential to know there are ways to overcome this and lead a healthier life. One of the first steps is acknowledging when you may be feeling entitled and taking responsibility for your decisions.
A second step is to seek professional assistance from a therapist who can provide you with the tools and encouragement to make changes. Many online therapists are caring and experienced; you just have to fill out an initial questionnaire in order to find someone ready to assist you today.
According to The Oxford Dictionary, entitlement is “a feeling or sense that one is deserving or entitled to certain privileges.”
However, there are two kinds of entitlement: material and relational. Therefore, it’s essential to distinguish between them when considering how this condition may impact your relationships.
The primary distinction between material entitlement and relational entitlement is that material entitlement refers to something people have a right to, while relational entitlement stems from someone believing they deserve special treatment or recognition for things they didn’t earn. Both can have negative repercussions; however, material entitlement tends to have more negative outcomes while the latter may occasionally produce positive ones in certain instances.
Disappointment and Distress
Entitlement has a powerful influence on our relationships and ability to interact with others. If not addressed, it can lead to disappointment, interpersonal conflicts and depression. People with an entitlement mindset often place themselves above other people, believing they deserve more than what is given them.
An entitlement mindset can lead to poor relationships if someone fails to understand or accept that others don’t share the same expectations. People with this mentality often demand things from friends, family members or coworkers which are unreasonable or impossible.
Some individuals may struggle to manage their emotions when feeling disappointed. This could lead to various issues, such as emotional outbursts and overreactions to minor events. It is essential to identify when this is occurring and seek professional assistance for assistance.
The initial step in dealing with disappointment is to keep things in perspective. Disappointment can be a deeply felt emotion, so it’s essential to remember that not all problems are as dire as they appear at first glance.
Another way to combat the effects of entitlement mindset is through gratitude and humility. These virtues can shield us from disappointment and distress that comes with being entitled.
Research has even demonstrated that traits associated with these two values are linked to lower levels of stress and depression.
Recent research revealed that people’s level of entitlement can be seen in their relationships with others. Those with an entitlement mindset tend to experience more interpersonal conflict and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships than other individuals.
Studies have demonstrated that people who score highly on the emotional scale of feeling entitled are more likely to experience headaches, stomach upsets and moistened palms than those with low scores on this measure.
Adopting an entitlement mindset can be challenging to break, but not impossible. Some strategies for dealing with this issue include practicing gratitude and humility, accepting when you should take responsibility for your behavior, and placing the situation into perspective. These techniques can be effective in combatting the effects of an entitlement mindset as well as cultivating healthy relationships with others.
Conflict and Divisiveness
Psychological entitlement has a powerful effect on interpersonal relationships, shaping how individuals view themselves and others. This can have negative repercussions such as feelings of resentment or anger, selfish behaviors, and aggression towards others.
This can have detrimental effects on a relationship, leading to less empathy and respect between the partners, leading to further conflict.
Divisiveness has been with mankind from the very start and it remains a formidable force that keeps humanity at war. Whether it’s personal disagreements, regional disputes or border clashes, divisiveness leaves no country unaffected.
The world is on the brink of extinction, due to an unprecedented level of division within society. As a result, we are witnessing more conflicts than ever before.
It is no wonder then that many people feel entitled to the best. While it can be challenging to break free of this entitlement attitude, it is possible.
Combatting entitlement requires being aware of its signs and symptoms so you can recognize it when it strikes. Doing this will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed by it, enabling you to develop new habits and behaviors which will allow for a more fulfilling life.
One of the most essential lessons to remember when feeling entitled is that this treatment does not deserve to happen. The world isn’t fair and everyone deserves respect and kindness regardless of their status in society.
As previously discussed, a sense of entitlement can have an especially damaging effect on interpersonal relationships. This is especially true for those attempting to maintain healthy and meaningful connections.
Unhealthy Relationships
An unhealthy sense of entitlement can have numerous detrimental effects. Some examples include anger, disappointment and failure; as well as loss of self-worth, depression and anxiety. Furthermore, individuals may become less likely to take care of their needs.
People with high levels of entitlement in relationships can have detrimental effects on other parties. They frequently abuse their position and use power to manipulate others, leading to dysfunctional interpersonal connections.
They may also deceive and dishonest with their partners, leading to distrust in the relationship. A healthy relationship relies on open communication and emotional honesty between both parties; if your partner regularly lies about where they’ve been, what they’ve done, or who they spend time with, it could be indicative of an unhealthy dynamic in your connection.
Furthermore, they may yell, name-call or physically assault their partners when they don’t get their way. This can lead to resentment and make you feel unsafe in the relationship.
If you’re feeling the effects of entitlement, it is essential to seek assistance. A therapist or counselor can assess your situation and offer support in making changes for the better.
One of the most prevalent types of entitlement is a sense that one is deserving something due to one’s personality or life choices. While this attitude is an expected part of human development, it can become challenging to maintain if you’re not in a stable environment with few opportunities for growth and change.
A therapist can assist you in deciphering your sense of entitlement and developing healthier coping mechanisms. By altering your thoughts and behaviors, it will become easier to regulate emotions and maintain a more optimistic outlook on life.
Another manifestation of entitlement is a belief that others should treat you with respect and dignity. This could be indicative of a more serious underlying disorder like narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
In addition to high levels of entitlement, these individuals often lack empathy and compassion. This can have detrimental effects on their relationships and lead to resentment, anger, and frustration. Therapy can teach you effective coping techniques as well as improve social connections.
