Materialistic people more likely to be miserable: study

It is difficult to satisfy materialistic people who constantly want more even when they have the latest gadgets and newest cars.

It has long been believed that materialistic people are less happy, and a recent study from Baylor University, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, has proven that materialistic people are in fact more likely to be miserable and depressed.

The research team used a set of survey questionnaires to conduct an assessment on 246 participants from the marketing department of a university whose average age was 21. The 15-minute survey allowed the researchers to measure materialism, gratitude, need satisfaction and life satisfaction.

The results showed that the participants with low levels of gratitude and high levels of need satisfaction had a higher chance of being materialistic and less satisfied with life.

Lead researcher Jo-Ann Tsang, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, added that materialistic people tend to be more self-centered and “more likely to focus on what they do not have and are unable to be grateful for what they do have, whether it is their family, a nice house or a good job.”

A past study reported by Medical News Today revealed that materialism may damage a couple’s relationship.

By Ha Ji-won, Intern reporter (jiwonha@heraldcorp.com)