Abstract
Beyond its well-documented health-related effects, economic inequality has significant sociopsychological consequences. This research examines how perceived economic inequality is associated with tolerance of gender-based violence through status anxiety and sexualization processes. Across three studies involving Italian heterosexual women, results showed that higher levels of perceived economic inequality, combined with a low socioeconomic status, were associated with increased status anxiety, self-sexualization, and enjoyment of sexualization. These psychological factors, in turn, predicted greater tolerance of gender-based violence, particularly in terms of minimizing male behavior. Study 1 (N = 300) provided correlational evidence of these relationships. Through an experimental design, Study 2 (N = 218) confirmed the role of perceived inequality and low socioeconomic status in reinforcing these dynamics. Study 3 (N = 211) replicated the effect of inequality and status on attitudes toward gender-based violence using an implicit measure. By revealing the psychological mechanisms linking perceived economic inequality and socioeconomic position to violence acceptance, this research underscores the urgency of addressing economic disparities to drive social change and highlights potentially harmful adaptive strategies that women may adopt in response to unequal social and economic contexts.
Public Significance Statement
This research shows that perceived economic inequality can shape how women respond to gender-based violence. In more unequal contexts, especially among women with fewer economic resources, women may be more likely to normalize or downplay men’s behavior due to increased status anxiety and sexualization processes. These results suggest that policies aimed at reducing economic inequality may also help prevent the social normalization of violence against women.