The life course paradigm and consumer behavior: Research frontiers and future directions

Abstract

Although researchers have been increasingly using life course perspectives for studying various types of consumption-related behaviors, they are yet to fully benefit from a recently developed multidisciplinary research approach, known as "the life course paradigm." This paradigm is viewed as a theoretical orientation for the study of stability and change in thoughts and actions over time. It is used extensively across disciplines and internationally, but it has received limited attention in the consumer field; and it has the potential of helping researchers improve their efforts to study consumers over time. To

Consumer (dis)engagement coping profiles using online services in managing health‐related stressors

“…For example, intra‐individual studies show the importance of stress in relation to how the person changes on a day‐to‐day basis. Adopting a life‐course paradigm (Moschis, 2021), longitudinal studies that track health status and coping efforts over time would be valuable in understanding the changes in (dis)engagement coping efforts alongside changes in perceived helpfulness of such coping efforts. However, longitudinal studies should also document the impact of personal dispositions (e.g., personality types) as they may impact on coping efforts (Duhachek & Iacobucci, 2005; Hollebeek et al, 2022; Selzer et al, 2021; Sinha & Lu, 2022), including in an online context (Blazevic et al, 2014).…”

Mature and Older Adults’ Perception of Active Ageing and the Need for Supporting Services: Insights from a Qualitative Study

“…The LCP has been used by researchers across several disciplines and, although its definition may vary depending on the investigation's background, its most common use refers to stability and change [20]. According to Moschis [21] (p. 2036), "life course theoretical perspectives explain stability and change of thoughts and actions as a result of a person's adaptation to changing life events and conditions experienced earlier in life, with the onus of explanation on mechanisms or adaptation processes that bring about changes". Life events lead to various physical, social, and emotional demands to which a person must adapt, with results in a changing construct of thought, behaviours and needs [22].…”

Older adults' decisions on smart home systems: Better put an age tag on it!

“…The decision of whether to purchase a smart home system confronts older adults with a complex choice involving significant financial investment and having important implications for their personal health. The current market practice is to present smart home systems with labels such as “Economic” or “Premium.” Drawing on research into the decision‐making of older adults in terms of choice overload and stress (e.g., Moschis, 2007a, 2012, 2021), we argue that such price‐framing increases choice complexity and thus leads to decision avoidance. Considering as well research on age labels (e.g., Weijters & Geuens, 2006), we propose that age‐framing (vs. price‐framing) reduces decision‐making complexity and thus the rate of decision avoidance by older adults.…”