An Evaluation of Consumerism and Lifestyle as Correlates of a Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle

Abstract

Data from a questionnaire were collected from 189 Japanese female undergraduates at a women's university. They were 18, 19, or 20 years of age. The measures included a 22-item 7-point voluntary simplicity lifestyle scale, a 9-item 5-point scale of the evaluation of a voluntarily simple life, an 11-item 4-point scale of environmentally responsible consumerism and a 28-item 5-point scale of a nonsimplicity lifestyle. Factor analysis was conducted for each scale and Cronbach's αcoefficients were calculated for selected items associated with each scale. Both the evaluation of a voluntarily simple life and environmentally responsible consumerism were positively associated with a voluntary simplicity lifestyle and its three factors, that is, cautious attitudes in shopping, acceptance of self-sufficiency and a desire for a voluntarily simple life. A voluntary simplicity lifestyle was significantly associated with more than half of the nonsimplicity lifestyle statements.

The Relationship Between Consumption Value and Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle and Effect on Environmentally Responsible Consumerism

“…In the present study, the "Environmentally Responsible Consumerism Scale" was prepared based on Iwata (2002), the "Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle Scale" was prepared based on Iwata (2006), and the "Consumption Values Scale" was prepared based on Lin and Huang (2012). It is argued in some studies that those adopting novelty do not engage in environmentally responsible consumerism.…”

“…Cowles and Crosby (1986) argued that voluntary simplicity is composed of the dimensions of material simplicity, self-determination, and ecological awareness. Iwata (1997Iwata ( , 2002Iwata ( , 2006 suggested that voluntary simplicity lifestyle can be examined in three sub-dimensions: cautious attitudes in shopping, acceptance of self-sufficiency, and a desire for a voluntarily simplicity life. Ozgul (2011), on the other hand, stated that a voluntary simplicity lifestyle has four dimensions: product feature, material life, planned shopping, and selfsufficiency.…”

“…Conscious consumers are expected to have consumption awareness and consider the effects of their consumption on society. In this sense, environmentally responsible consumerism refers to the consumer's consideration of the effects of his consumption on society, while making consumption decisions or before purchasing a product (Iwata, 2006). This concept was thought to have emerged in response to criticisms claiming that individual consumption is made without considering its effects on social environment (Follow and Jobber, 2000).…”

“…The literature contains many studies showing the effects of voluntary simplicity lifestyle on environmentally responsible consumerism (Shama, 1985, Cowles andCrosby, 1986;Iwata, 2006;Roubanis, 2008;Ozgul, 2011). There are also studies investigating consumption values and their influence on environmentally friendly consumerism (Lin and Huang, 2012;Haws et al 2014;Kao and Tu, 2015).…”

“…Lifestyle influences environmental attitudes (Aydin and Unal, 2015). Voluntary simplicity refers to a lifestyle characterized by low consumption, environmental responsibility, and self-sufficiency (Iwata, 1997;Iwata, 2006). According to Elgin and Mitchell (1977), one of the values of voluntary simplicity is environmental consciousness, and living in harmony with nature is among the fundamental principles of voluntary simplicity lifestyle.…”