Does variety in hedonic spending improve happiness? Testing alternative causal mechanisms between hedonic variety and subjective well-being.

ABSTRACT: Previous research has found only a small, inconsistent association between hedonic consumption and subjective well-being, often attributed to individuals adapting to the happiness gains from their purchases. Given that diverse experiences can reduce or avert hedonic adaptation, we hypothesized that variety in hedonic spending would be associated with greater well-being. This hypothesis was tested in four studies (total N = 2,920), using both self-reported and objective bank-reported spending data. In our correlational analyses, hedonic spending variety was uniquely associated with well-being, even after controlling for total hedonic spending and other financial variables. Our investigation also explored the directional relationship between hedonic spending variety and well-being, yielding

SUBMITTER: Gladstone JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10897990 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature