Anti-consumption, Materialism, and Consumer Well-being

Substantial research indicates a negative relationship between excessive consumption, namely materialism, and consumer well-being (CWB). Since anti-consumption is contradictory to materialism, and materialism has a negative relationship with CWB, logically, anti-consumption should have a positive in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of consumer affairs 2016-03, Vol.50 (1), p.18-47
Main Authors: Lee, Michael S. W., Ahn, Christie Seo Youn
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blogs
Consumption
Consumption (Economics)
Content analysis
Internet
Materialism
Psychological aspects
Qualitative research
Ryan, Richard M
Social welfare
Values
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Summary:Substantial research indicates a negative relationship between excessive consumption, namely materialism, and consumer well-being (CWB). Since anti-consumption is contradictory to materialism, and materialism has a negative relationship with CWB, logically, anti-consumption should have a positive influence on CWB. To explore this relationship, we review the literature on anti-consumption, materialism, and CWB, and ascertain the most prominent values by which anti-consumption and materialism differ. We then develop a framework based on four constructs (1. Control over consumption; 2. Scope of concerns; 3. Material desire; 4. Source of happiness), conceptually highlighting how anti-consumption and materialism differ in terms of CWB. Qualitative data and content analysis of online blogs, forums, and websites provide preliminary support for our propositions. Finally, we conclude with some implications for managers and policymakers.
ISSN:0022-0078
1745-6606
DOI:10.1111/joca.12089