title: "Feeling poor": perceived economic position and environmental mastery among older Americans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the relationship between perceived economic position (PEP), objective socioeconomic status, and environmental mastery among older Americans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), I examine (a) whether PEP is associated with environmental mastery even after accounting for objective economic status and (b) whether the relationship between PEP and mastery varies by reference group (peers, Americans).
  
  
  RESULTS
  High PEP is associated with higher mastery while low PEP is associated with lower mastery, even after controlling for objective economic status. In general, the relationship between PEP and mastery does not vary whether PEP relative to peers or PEP relative to American families is examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These analyses provide insights into the important role of social comparisons in the connection between socioeconomic status and psychological well-being in the later life course.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karraker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: mastery; relative deprivation; socioeconomic status; stress