Materialism and Well‐Being: A Conflicting Values Perspective

Over the past decade, materialism has emerged as an important research topic. Materialism is generally viewed as the value placed on the acquisition of material objects. Previous research finds that high levels of material values are negatively associated with subjective well‐being. However, relativ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of consumer research 2002-12, Vol.29 (3), p.348-370
Main Authors: Burroughs, James E., Rindfleisch, Aric
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affect (Psychology)
Anxiety
Assessed values
Communities
Conceptualization
Consumption
Family values
Happiness
Materialism
Polls & surveys
Psychological research
Psychology
Psychometrics
Religion
Statistical analysis
Studies
Theory
Values
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Summary:Over the past decade, materialism has emerged as an important research topic. Materialism is generally viewed as the value placed on the acquisition of material objects. Previous research finds that high levels of material values are negatively associated with subjective well‐being. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between materialism and well‐being within the broader context of an individual’s value system. In this article, we examine the relationship between material values and other important life values. In addition, we draw on values theory to examine a novel conceptualization of why materialism is antithetical to well‐being. Specifically, our theory proposes that the individual orientation of material values conflicts with collective‐oriented values, such as family values and religious values. This state of values conflict creates psychological tension, and this tension is associated with a reduced sense of well‐being. Using both a survey sample of 373 adults from across the United States and an experimental study of 120 college students, we find considerable support for this conflicting values perspective.
ISSN:0093-5301
1537-5277
DOI:10.1086/344429