Materialism, Stress and Health Behaviors among Future Educators

Abstract

In this study we investigated materialism among future educators and its relationship with stress and a number of health behaviors. Participants were 228 students (Mean= 20.64 years of age, S.D= 2.571) of the Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood of the University of Thrace, Greece.The instrument consisted of a short form of the Material Values Scale with three subscales, pertaining to the following three domains: possession-defined success, acquisition centrality and acquisition as the pursuit of happiness. Measurements also included the Perceived Stress Scale and questions on several health behaviors. The findings suggested that materialism values were held by 40% of the participants whereas the component of materialism as happiness pursuit particularly was related to higher levels of stress. Finally, the younger the future educators were the more materialistic values they held. Suggestions for further research are discussed and, considering that children use their educators as models, health promoting interventions that take into account materialism effects are suggested.

Research Progress on the Influence of Materialism and Its Interventions

“…Material pursuits help to meet the need for uniqueness and belonging, and can compensate for threatened self-esteem, because people believe that material and wealth make them more socially attractive, or react to the threat of self-esteem, especially when people think when they are excluded by society (Jiang et al, 2015). In addition, material wealth can help restore and maintain a sense of stability, identity, control and positive self-image, and is a means of reducing stress (Brouskeli & Loumakou, 2014).…”

“…Because of the importance of external goals, high-level materialists have unmet internal needs and have many negative effects on individuals' psychology, emotions, and behaviors. For example, materialism and well-being Wang et al, 2017b), self-realization (Kasser & Ahuvia, 2002), life satisfaction Psychology Shrum et al, 2013 Meet the need for uniqueness and belonging Wong et al, 2011 Make up for threatened self-esteem Wong et al, 2011Jiang et al, 2015 Relieve pressure Brouskeli & Loumakou, 2014 Reduce happiness Kasser et al, 2014Wang et al, 2017b Reduce life satisfaction Tsang et al, 2014 Reduce the quality of life Roberts & Clement, 2007 Less positive emotions, higher levels of depression, loneliness, anxiety and substance abuse Kasser & Ryan, 1993, 1996Pieters, 2013 Reduce self-awareness, quality of relationships, and willingness to participate in community activities Kasser & Ahuvia, 2002 Consumption level promoting economic prosperity and social progress Sirgy et al, 2013 Driving fashion innovation Goldsmith et al, 2013 Marketing staff design promotional information Heath & Chatzidakis, 2012 Poor money management skills Donnelly et al, 2013 More gambling problems Carver & McCarty, 2013 Accumulate huge debts Watson, 2003 Compulsive consumption Donnelly et al, 2013Dittmar et al, 2014 Conspicuous consumption Podoshen, Li, & Zhang, 2011 Positively related to consumer behavior and attitudes triggered by hedonism, image and status values Dittmar et al, 2014Kamal et al, 2013Workman & Lee, 2011Srivastava et al, 2001 Organizational level Work hard to complete challenging tasks Vohs, Mead, & Goode, 2006 Increase the profits of enterprises and create funds for research and development Richins & Rudmin, 1994Kasser et al, 2007 Lower quality of work life…”

Psikologi Anti-Materialisme

“…Materialisme yang tinggi adalah sebab bagi berbagai persoalan psikologi, sosial, ekonomi, dan pendidikan, seperti: rendahnya well-being, ketidakbahagiaan dan ketidakpuasan hidup, dan tingginya stres dan depresi (Brouskeli & Loumakou, 2014;Dittmar & Kapur, 2011;Garðarsdóttir, Janković & Dittmar, 2008;Karabati & Cemalcilar, 2010;Konow & Earley, 2008;Tatzel, 2002;Tsang, Carpenter, Roberts, Frisch, & Carlisle, 2014); perilaku mengkonsumsi yang bermasalah, seperti compulsive dan excessive buying (Dittmar, 2005;Müller, et al, in press, 2011;Pham, Yap, & Dowling, 2011); sikap dan perilaku tidak prolingkungan (Hurst, Dittmar, Bond, & Kasser, 2013;Kilbourne & Picket, 2008); sikap negatif terhadap pernikahan dan memiliki anak (Li, Patel, Balliet, Tov, Scollon 2010); ketidaksukaan menabung dan sekolah pada anak, rendahnya motivasi belajar intrinsik, meningkatnya motivasi belajar ekstrinsik, dan rendahnya performa akademik (Goldberg Gorn, Peracchio, & Bamosy, 2003;Ku, Dittmar, & Banerjee, 2014).…”

Antecedents and Consequences of Materialism: An Integrated Theoretical Framework

“…They therefore see materialism as an identity builder. Brouskeli and Loumakou (2014) found that materialism is a stress buffer. While these researchers see materialism as playing a positive role, most researchers however view materialism as an inescapable and an undesirable aspect of consumer culture , which leads to a number of negative consequences.…”