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Materialism and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Religion

Journal of Religion and Health volume 54, pages 413–426 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examines the role of religion and religiosity in the relationship between materialism and life satisfaction. The findings suggests that religion may be a key factor in understanding differences in findings of previous studies regarding the inverse relationship found in the vast majority of previous studies. Based on a large-scale study in Malaysia—a country comprised of several religious subcultures (mainly Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus), the findings suggest that the influence of religiosity on materialism and life satisfaction is stronger among Malays than among Chinese and Indians, and life satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between religiosity and materialism. The paper discusses implications for theory development and further research.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. College of Management, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Varapa Rakrachakarn

  2. Center for Mature Consumer Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    George P. Moschis

  3. Nottingham University Business School, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia

    Fon Sim Ong

  4. Consumer Life-course Studies Group, College of Management, Mahidol University, 69 Vipawadee Rangsit Road, Din Daeng, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Randall Shannon

Authors
  1. Varapa Rakrachakarn
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  2. George P. Moschis
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  3. Fon Sim Ong
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  4. Randall Shannon
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Correspondence to Randall Shannon.

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Rakrachakarn, V., Moschis, G.P., Ong, F.S. et al. Materialism and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Religion. J Relig Health 54, 413–426 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9794-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9794-y

Keywords

  • Religiosity
  • Materialism
  • Life satisfaction