Passive-aggressive individuals feel

Passive-aggressive individuals feel cheated and unappreciated. They believe that life has been unkind to them, and they express envy and resentment over the “easy life” that they perceive others having. When that feel another person has wronged them, they may go to great lengths to seek retribution. Or “get even,” but always in a subtle and passive manner rather than discussing their feelings with the offending individual. They demonstrate passive resistance and general obstructiveness in response to the expectations of others. As a tactic of interpersonal behavior, passive-aggressive individuals commonly switch among the roles of the martyr, the affronted, the aggrieved, the misunderstood, the contrite, the guilt-ridden, the sickly, and the overworked. In this way, they are able to vent their anger and resentment subtly, while gaining the attention, reassurance, and dependency they crave.