Abstract
This study employed the human capital (in terms of family resources) and socialization (in terms of peer communication) life-course theoretical perspectives to examine the effects of disruptive family events experienced during adolescence on young adults’ materialism in France and South Africa. The study found that South African young adults were more materialistic than their French counterparts. While family resources received during adolescence did not have a significant impact on South African young adults’ materialism, these resources did significantly and positively affect French young adults’ materialism. The impact of peer communication about consumption during adolescence on materialism at young adulthood was positive and significant in both samples. Implications of the study’s findings and directions for further research are provided.
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The corresponding author thanks the Vlir-Uos University Development Cooperation in Belgium for their funding for a short research stay at KU—Leuven, during which a substantial part of this paper was written.
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Appendix: Measures
Appendix: Measures
Disruptive childhood family events
Please circle the appropriate number (1 = never and 5 = very often), if you experienced the following events before your 18th birthday:
(1) Did not live in the same home as both of your biological parents.
(2) Frequent time periods in which one or both parents were absent.
(3) Loss or separation from a family member or loved one.
(4) Arguments between parents or other family members.
(5) Frequent moves to a new place of residence.
(6) Physical abuse by parents or close family members.
Family resources
Please circle one number to show the degree to which the following family resources were adequate or inadequate (1 = inadequate support, and 5 = exceptional support) before your 18th birthday.
(1) Spending money
(2) Food
(3) Clothing
(4) Time and attention
(5) Discipline
(6) Life skills and instruction
(7) Emotional support and love
(8) Role modelling and guidance
Peer communication about consumption
How often did the following happen between the ages of 12 and 18? Please circle one number (1 = never and 5 = very often):
(1) You ask your friends for advice about buying things.
(2) You and your friends talk about buying things.
(3) You and your friends talk about things you saw or heard advertised.
(4) You wonder what your friends would think when you were buying things for yourself.
(5) Your friends ask you for advice about buying things.
(6) Your friends tell you what things you should or should not buy.
(7) You go shopping with your friends.
(8) You try to impress your friends.
Materialism
Regarding your attitude toward material possessions, please circle one number to show your degree of acceptance. For question 1 for example, you choose from (1 = need more, and 5 = have all I need) and for question 2 you choose from (1 = do not enjoy, and 5 = greatly enjoy).
(1) Do you feel that you have all the things you really need to enjoy life?
(2) How do you feel about having a lot of luxury in your life?
(3) How do you feel about acquiring material possessions as an achievement in life?
(4) Would your life be any better if you owned certain things that you don’t have?
(5) How do you feel about people who own expensive homes, cars, and clothes?
(6) How much pleasure do you get from buying things?
(7) How do you feel about things you own?
(8) How do you feel about owning things that impress people?
(9) How do you approach your life in terms of your life possessions (i.e., buying and owning things)?
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Duh, H.I., Benmoyal-Bouzaglo, S., Moschis, G.P. et al. Examination of Young Adults’ Materialism in France and South Africa Using Two Life-Course Theoretical Perspectives. J Fam Econ Iss 36, 251–262 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-014-9400-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-014-9400-9