To read this content please select one of the options below:

A closer look into the materialism construct: the antecedents and consequences of materialism and its three facets

Sigal Segev (Department of Advertising and Public Relations, Florida International University, Miami, Florida)
Aviv Shoham (Graduate School of Management, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel)
Yossi Gavish (Department of Marketing and Advertising, Ono Academic College, Kirat Ono, Israel)

Journal of Consumer Marketing

ISSN: 0736-3761

Article publication date: 16 March 2015

3879

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to unbundle the materialism construct into its three facets – centrality, success and happiness – to provide a fine-grained model that delineates the relationship between some of its antecedents (i.e. depression, anxiety, self esteem and affect) and consequences (life satisfaction, innovativeness, time spent shopping and environmentalism).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a convenience sample of 568 adult consumers, this study tests a model in which a set of psychological variables serve as antecedents of materialism and its three facets, which in turn affect a set of cognitive, psychological and behavioral consequences.

Findings

Results indicate that specific facets have more weight than others, depending on the nature of the needs individuals seek to fulfill through possessions, or their resulting behaviors and cognitions. Results validate the view of materialism as a coping mechanism, but also show that the consequences of materialism can be both positive and negative depending on their underlying facet.

Research limitations/implications

This study used a convenience sample, which might affect the generalizability of its findings. The materialism centrality subscale showed a lower than desirable level of reliability. Future research might consider using the longer, 6-item version of this sub-scale.

Practical implications

This study helps marketers identify the circumstances under which materialism can lead to negative or positive consequences. Marketers should be careful when designing messages that make unrealistically strong associations between consumption and happiness, positive emotions, self-worth and satisfaction with life.

Social implications

The negative social and personal consequences of materialism call for the formulation of policies designed to reduce them, and marketers’ responsibility to consumers’ well-being, especially among potentially vulnerable segments of the population.

Originality/value

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the materialism construct, its antecedents and outcomes. It advances our understanding of how materialism works by examining each facet separately and how it is related to the various psychological antecedents and consumer behavior outcomes.

Keywords

Citation

Segev, S., Shoham, A. and Gavish, Y. (2015), "A closer look into the materialism construct: the antecedents and consequences of materialism and its three facets", Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 85-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-07-2014-1082

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles