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

This article presents a theoretical model that reveals how consumers’ long-term subjective well-being (SWB) influences their spending on hedonic products. Using the longitudinal data from a large national panel survey, the study found that consumers’ SWB influences spending on hedonic products via the mediating effects of their positive interpretation of life circumstances and broadened set of activities resulting from positive emotions. The results are explained using cognitive tuning theory and broaden-and-build theory and have implications for hedonic products providers in terms of who their target audience is and how demand for their products is generated

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Purpose – While having “more” in life seems to have a positive impact on consumers' well-being, the role of how satisfied consumers need to be with this “more” before it is able to enhance their well-being is not clear. This study aims to examine an integrated model of the mediating effect of satisfaction on the relationship between objective life circumstances and subjective well-being. Design/methodology/approach – The new model proposed is tested by using data obtained from British Household Panel Survey. A fixed-effects econometric model is estimated using Stata 10 to identify the mediating effect of satisfaction with life circumstances on the relationship between life circumstances and well-being. Findings – The results show that objective circumstances affect well-being primarily through the mediating effect of satisfaction with corresponding life domains irrespective of the level of objective circumstances. However, this mediating effect varies by life domain and cannot be generalized. Practical implications – The implications for public policy makers are that intervention policies that improve the three life domains of health, leisure and housing will effectively enhance consumers' well-being. Meanwhile, government should also allocate more resources to increase consumers' positive thinking to help them to improve their well-being. Originality/value – This is the first study to examine the mediating effect of subjective satisfaction on the effect of objective circumstances on well-being across six life domains.

A lack of a sense of belonging in the host country has become one of the most common challenges facing international migrants in today's sociopolitical environment.Our two online experiments with 881 international migrant workers in the United States jointly demonstrate that, to cope with their lack of a sense of belonging in the host country, international migrants may spend money suboptimally: more on material purchases but less on experiential and prosocial purchases. More importantly, our studies suggest that prosocial purchases are more effective than experiential purchases in increasing international migrants' subjective well-being. This is because prosocial purchases can lead to both relatedness need satisfaction and beneficence, with each independently contributing to international migrants' subjective well-being.Our research suggests that public policymakers should address the social exclusion international migrants experience when moving to a new country because it can have a negative impact on their subjective well-being. Our research further suggests that one way to mitigate social exclusion is to encourage international migrants to spend money on others rather than themselves.