Materialism as self-identity maintenance

L. J. Shrum, Elena Fumagalli and Tina M. Lowrey

Chapter 24 in Handbook of Social Psychology and Consumer Behavior, 2026, pp 347-360 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Materialism is a central concept in consumer psychology and has received considerable attention in the research literature, primarily centering on its negative effects on many aspects of psychological well-being. In this chapter, we propose a conceptualization that views materialism as self-identity maintenance: goal-directed consumption behavior that serves to maintain a healthy self-concept. We structure the review around fundamental identity motives that are the core of self-identity and discuss how people use possessions to develop and maintain a healthy self-concept and how effective these efforts are. We conclude with a discussion of the efficacy of materialism and symbolic compensatory consumption in improving psychological well-being.

Keywords: Materialism; Self-identity; Self-threat; Conspicuous consumption; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035327591
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