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The Association between COVID-19-Related Wellbeing with Materialism and Perceived Threat

Author

Listed:
  • Fei Teng

    (Faculty of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jiaxin Shi

    (Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xijing Wang

    (Department of Social and Behavioural Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Zhansheng Chen

    (Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on people’s wellbeing. Here, we proposed that an individual characteristic might be associated with wellbeing; that is, materialism. Specifically, we conducted three studies (total N = 3219) to examine whether people with high levels of materialism would experience poorer wellbeing (i.e., anxiety and depression, in the current case). The results showed that materialism was positively associated with depression (Studies 1A, 1B and 2) and anxiety (Study 2). Moreover, such a relationship was mediated by people’s perceived threat of COVID-19 (Study 2). These findings were observed in both Chinese and American people. The findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical contributions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Teng & Jiaxin Shi & Xijing Wang & Zhansheng Chen, 2022. "The Association between COVID-19-Related Wellbeing with Materialism and Perceived Threat," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:912-:d:724791
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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