1. It Can Lead to Emotional Distress
Losing entitlement can lead to feelings of disappointment and frustration, as well as the self-reinforcing cycle that may cause an unhealthy level of emotional distress. This cycle is caused by exaggerated expectations and the inability to meet them, creating an endless cycle of frustration (Grubbs & Exline, 2016).
According to researchers at Case Western Reserve University, individuals who possess an excessive sense of entitlement often suffer from anxiety, depression, somatization and a low sense of belonging. Furthermore, they tend to feel lonely more than those with a more restricted sense of entitlement, according to these same researchers.
To gain insight into the mechanisms causing envy, we examined its effects when combined with a status-seeking account of entitlement. Envy is an affective and socially functional mechanism used to regulate status hierarchies and reduce discrepancies between oneself and an upward comparison target (Crusius & Lange, 2017; Lange, Blatz & Crusius, in press; Lange & Crusius, 2015b).
Study after study has examined the relationship between entitlement and envy, concluding that people who were higher in entitlement had both a direct and indirect effect on both benign and malicious envy. However, these effects weren’t uniform across studies; in some cases, the direct effect of entitlement on dispositional envy was actually quite negative.
This finding suggests that status has a more diffuse and complex motivation than previously believed. As such, the social-functional processes responsible for envy should encompass not just status but other facets of personality and social contexts as well.
Particularly, more entitled individuals displayed greater prestige and dominance motivation, tending to attribute themselves both levels of peer-rated dominance and peer-rated status. Furthermore, these individuals tended to have an inflated sense of entitlement, as well as a less restrictive one.
These findings corroborate our primary hypothesis that more entitled people are motivated by status. This drives them to engage in behaviors which promote this aim, such as aggression and forceful self-promotion, an interest in power and achievement, and support for hierarchy. Furthermore, other studies have revealed that those higher up on the entitlement scale tend to exhibit both desire for prestige and dominance-based social rank.
2. It Can Lead to Financial Distress
A sense of entitlement is the belief that one is entitled to certain privileges or benefits in life – whether at work, in your community, or even personally. Unfortunately, allowing entitlement to run amok can lead to some very serious issues.
In addition to potential emotional and social costs, leaving entitlement unchecked can also cause financial strain. This is especially true in countries such as the United States where government programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are projected to consume 86 percent of federal revenue by 2022.
To avoid feeling entitled, it’s essential to recognize when you’re feeling entitled and learn how to manage it effectively. The best way to do this is through gratitude and humility – realizing that the world doesn’t owe you anything and taking responsibility for your own happiness.
If you have many unresolved entitlement issues, consider consulting a therapist or counselor for support. It’s not a sign of weakness but instead an indication that you’re ready to make changes in your life and improve relationships with others.
One potential consequence of allowing your entitlements to go unchecked is that it could negatively affect both your physical health and quality of life. You may experience various emotions like anxiety, depression and anger; in addition, these negative feelings could potentially lead to physical issues like heart disease, stroke or cancer.
Another potential risk is that your entitlement could negatively impact other people in your life. This could lead to them feeling resentful toward you because they believe you don’t give them what they think they deserve.
This can lead to them being less supportive of you, which could have an adverse effect on your professional life. This is especially relevant in careers where it’s essential to form and sustain positive connections with colleagues.
3. It Can Lead to Moral Distress
Allowing entitlement to go unchecked can have numerous risks, from financial to social. But perhaps most prominent is a loss of self-respect which has disastrous results for those around us. This type of identity misplacement is unfortunately commonplace today and affects people from all backgrounds. Additionally, it leads to other social problems like sexism, racism, and classism – all of which require informed decision-making in order to prevent them from manifesting. Despite these potential dangers lurking ahead, making informed decisions is key for successful risk-taking.
4. It Can Lead to Social Distress
Although it’s common to see spoiled children throwing temper tantrums or refusing to do things they don’t want, unchecked entitlement can have far more serious repercussions. It leaves children vulnerable to social distress, mental illness and substance use.
Entitlements are defined as the notion that someone has earned something despite not working towards it. This could include recognition, rewards, good grades or promotions; it could also refer to someone feeling they deserve more than their social circle members due to higher income or social standing.
Entitlement can often lead to a lack of resilience and the inability to tackle challenges head-on, leaving individuals seeking ways to escape difficult times. For example, someone who feels entitled may turn to drugs or alcohol in order to cope – especially dangerous for young children who are still learning the rules of social interaction and relationships. Entitlement may even indicate an underlying personality disorder which could manifest into severe mental health issues later in life. It’s therefore vitally important for parents to educate their kids on the dangers associated with entitlement so that your children do not become one of those who enjoy such privileges.
