Abstract
In response to recent calls for research into activities that may increase happiness, this study uses longitudinal data to investigate changes in within-subject, instead of between-subject, well-being. In the context of hedonic product consumption, this study reveals a mechanism by which consumption influences well-being through the mediating effect of satisfaction with associated life domains. Four years of data from a large national panel survey show that consuming hedonic products has indirect effects on well-being, by improving consumers' satisfaction within relevant life domains. High hedonic consumption improves satisfaction with relevant life domains, primarily through more frequent consumption of low-cost hedonic products rather than less frequent consumption of high-cost hedonic products.
Highlights
Copyright: City Research Online aims to make research outputs of City, University of London available to a wider audience
If spending money on hedonic products increases subjective well-being and we know how, the practical question arises of how much and in what way should consumers spend on hedonic products to increase their well-being? For example, if a consumer has £100 in disposable income, should he or she spend it all on one great, expensive leisure activity or on 10 less exciting and less expensive activities? no research has hitherto quantified how much consumers need to spend to achieve improved well-being
The findings help resolve understand the role of consumption in promoting happiness by demonstrating that (1) consumption only contributes to well-being if it serves to improve the quality of the relevant life domains associated with that consumption; (2) consumers’ subjective cognition plays a crucial role; and (3) the frequent consumption of hedonic products, rather than the infrequent consumption of products, relates positively to consumers’ subjective satisfaction with the relevant life domains
Summary
Copyright: City Research Online aims to make research outputs of City, University of London available to a wider audience. Relationship between Consumption of Hedonic Products and SWB; Mediating Role of Satisfaction with Relevant Life Domains the characteristics of hedonic products are associated with pleasure/fun and can elicit positive affect (Hirschman & Holbrook 1982), their consumption experiences do not necessarily lead to increased well-being (Shmotkin, 2005), because consumers’ subjective interpretation of consumption across numerous occasions represents the key determinant of overall well-being.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
