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Cited by 45Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and IdentificationMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsConsumer Retail Behavior Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 58 of the 58 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 3 of the 27 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Mindfulness as an antidote to conspicuous consumption: The mediating roles of self-esteem, self-concept clarity and normative influence

Open access
Bharti, Megha, Suneja, Vivek, Bharti, Mehak·2022·Personality and Individual Differences
DOI 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111215
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Abstract

Extant research in consumer behaviour has demonstrated the pervasiveness of conspicuous consumption as a means of psychological salve from inner conflicts such as self-discrepancies with regard to one's status, abilities, power or self-esteem. In this paper we propose mindfulness as an antidote to conspicuous consumption behaviour. Using structural equation modelling and survey responses of 588 consumers (312 non-meditators and 276 meditators), the current research examines the potential sequential mediation effects of self-esteem, self-concept-clarity and consumer susceptibility to normative influence on the association between mindfulness and conspicuous consumption. The results reveal significant differences in conspicuous consumption between the two groups and show that dispositional mindfulness is negatively related to conspicuous consumption in both the samples. Further, mediation effects are confirmed and plausible feedback loops are also identified. The empirical investigation may be useful in understanding the mechanism through which mindfulness works as an antidote to conspicuous consumption, a behaviour which is often seen as detrimental to wellbeing.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In two demographically matched Indian Generation Y samples (588 total: 312 non-meditators, 276 meditators), dispositional mindfulness was negatively associated with conspicuous consumption, mediated by self-esteem, self-concept clarity, and consumer susceptibility to normative influence. Meditators reported higher mindfulness, self-esteem, and self-concept clarity and lower CSNI and conspicuous consumption than non-meditators.

Key findings

  • Meditators scored significantly higher than non-meditators on mindfulness (M = 174.72 vs 145.94, t = 10.31), self-esteem (47.99 vs 41.28, t = 5.79), and self-concept clarity (54.44 vs 46.08, t = 6.68), and significantly lower on CSNI (25.46 vs 38.23, t = −14.78) and conspicuous consumption (28.57 vs 36.51, t = −8.86).
  • Dispositional mindfulness correlated negatively with conspicuous consumption in both non-meditators (r = −0.39, p < 0.01) and meditators (r = −0.45, p < 0.01). In pooled hierarchical regression (N = 588), the group dummy became insignificant after adding dispositional mindfulness, and mindfulness had a standardized coefficient of −0.258* in the final model (R² = 0.30).
  • All simple and sequential mediation paths were significant for meditators; for non-meditators, all mediation paths were significant except Mindfulness → SE → CC and Mindfulness → CSNI → CC. The full sequential path Mindfulness → SE → SCC → CSNI → CC was significant for non-meditators (point estimate −0.008, 95% CI [−0.022, −0.002]) and meditators (−0.014, 95% CI [−0.049, −0.003]).
  • Within meditators, amount of meditation practice had a significant negative association with conspicuous consumption, partially mediated by dispositional mindfulness; plausible feedback loops were also identified.

Methods

  • Cross-sectional survey in India with 588 Generation Y consumers aged 25–35: 276 meditators from Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement practicing Anapanasati breath meditation at least weekly for ≥6 months, and 312 non-meditators with no mindfulness practice; groups were demographically matched on age, gender, and income.
  • Measures used the 39-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, 10-item Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, 12-item Self Concept Clarity scale, 12-item Bearden et al. CSNI scale, and a conspicuous consumption scale adopted from Chaudhuri et al.; all used seven-point scales.
  • Analysis used between-group t-tests and hierarchical regression, then structural equation modeling in AMOS with item parcels (27 parcels), bootstrapping for indirect effects, multi-group CFA, and tests of alternative/non-recursive models.

Limitations

  • Stated: the sample was Generation Y only; the cross-sectional design precludes conclusive causal pathways; self-report measures may be prone to social desirability bias; experimental or longitudinal studies are needed; implicit self-esteem, boundary conditions, and self-selection of meditators (who may be more spiritual, religious, or less materialistic) require future research.
  • Stated/evident: the non-recursive models required an equality constraint to solve identification, and significant bidirectional results do not prove reciprocal causal effects; feedback loops are plausible but not confirmed.
  • Evident: the meditator sample came from one nonprofit meditation organization in India, which limits generalizability beyond that group and context.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111215

Cites

58 of 58 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

3 of 27 cited sources checked · 2 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Previous empirical investigations have demonstrated a positive association between mindfulness and self-concept clarity.

    “Previous empirical investigations have demonstrated a positive association between mindfulness and SCC (Dummel, 2018;Hanley & Garland, 2017).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Dummel, 2018 source
    • cites Hanley & Garland, 2017 source
  • Findingown data

    For meditators, the indirect effect of mindfulness on conspicuous consumption through self-esteem and self-concept clarity is significant and negative.

    “Mindfulness → SE → SCC → CC | -0.061 | -0.144 | -0.016”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Mindfulness negatively predicts conspicuous consumption.

    “| Mindfulness | | | -0.258*** |”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingreasoning

    Dispositional mindfulness is associated with reduced consumer susceptibility to normative influence.

    “DM is associated with higher SE, greater SCC, reduced CSNI which may diminish the need for CC.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For meditators, the indirect effect of mindfulness on conspicuous consumption through self-esteem, self-concept clarity, and consumer susceptibility to normative influence is significant and negative.

    “Mindfulness → SE → SCC → CSNI → CC | -0.014 | -0.049 | -0.003”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 11
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 15
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Meditation induces an increase in dispositional mindfulness if practiced regularly.

    “Growing evidence demonstrates that meditation induces increase in dispositional mindfulness as well if practiced regularly (Crescentini & Capurso, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Crescentini & Capurso, 2015 source

      The section on explicit measures says that the effect of regular mindfulness-meditation practice on mindfulness remains an open question. The passages found on meditation-related changes concern personality traits and self-concept, not an increase in dispositional mindfulness. Searches for increased dispositional or trait mindfulness after regular practice found no passage establishing the claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation

    Previous literature has shown that meditation leads to greater congruence between explicit and implicit self-esteem.

    “Previous literature has shown that meditation leads to greater congruence between explicit and implicit self-esteem (Koole et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Koole et al., 2009 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    In non-meditators, all mediation paths were significant except two simple mediation paths: mindfulness to self-esteem to conspicuous consumption and mindfulness to CSNI to conspicuous consumption.

    “In case of non-meditators all mediation paths were significant, except for two simple mediation paths: Mindfulness → SE → CC and Mindfulness → CSNI → CC.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Self-esteem negatively predicts conspicuous consumption.

    “| SE | | -0.143** | -0.074 |”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingreasoning

    The non-recursive models M7 and M8 had significant feedback loops.

    “Based on this assumption of equal reciprocal effects, both models had significant feedback loops.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The reciprocal effects in the non-recursive models M7 and M8 are equal.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingown data

    All hypothesised relationships were significant in the proposed directions, except the paths from mindfulness to CSNI and from self-esteem to conspicuous consumption in non-meditators.

    “All the hypothesised relationships were significant in the proposed directions, except for the paths from mindfulness to CSNI and SE to CC in non-meditators.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    Mindfulness has a negative influence on conspicuous consumption, mediated by self-esteem, self-concept clarity and consumer susceptibility to normative influence, in both meditators and non-meditators.

    “Overall, the present research offers a substantial support to our study hypothesis that mindfulness is negatively associated with CC and this relationship is mediated by SE, SCC and CSNI in both meditators and non-meditators.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The technique provides a substantive ground to investigate feedback loops in future investigations.

    “this technique has limitations and significant bi-directional results does not mean that a reciprocal causal effect exists, but it provides a substantive ground to investigate the feedback loops in future investigations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The estimates of the two non-recursive models are based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects to solve the identification issue.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductown data

    The study investigated eight alternative models; six were ruled out and the remaining two non-recursive equivalent models were considered.

    “We investigated eight alternative models (detailed in Appendix C).Out of these, six were ruled out and the remaining two non-recursive equivalent models were considered.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductown data

    The five-factor hierarchical model of FFMQ fit the data very well and much better than a one-factor model in both samples.

    “The five-factor hierarchical model of FFMQ fit the data very well and much better than one factor model in both the samples (Table B.1Appendix B).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Significant bi-directional results do not mean that a reciprocal causal effect exists.

    “this technique has limitations and significant bi-directional results does not mean that a reciprocal causal effect exists, but it provides a substantive ground to investigate the feedback loops in future investigations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The estimates of the two non-recursive models are based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects to solve the identification issue.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Mindful individuals are less likely to experience a self-discrepancy or be influenced by social cues.

    “Mindful individuals are less likely to experience a self-discrepancy or be influenced by social cues owing to objective awareness towards their experiences (Crane et al., 2008) and reduced automaticity to external influences (Rosenberg, 2004).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Crane et al., 2008 source
    • cites Rosenberg, 2004 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductown data

    Age, gender and income group differences were not significant, presenting demographically matched samples of non-meditators and meditators.

    “Group differences for these characteristics were not significant (F/χ 2 test), presenting demographically matched samples of non-meditators and meditators, ensuring that DIF (differential item functioning) in FFMQ is minimal (Baer et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Baer et al., 2011 source
    • Rests on an assumption: Age, gender and income are important correlates of conspicuous consumption.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationreasoning

    There is a plausibility of a feedback loop between self-esteem and self-concept clarity along the identified paths.

    “Additionally, we can infer that there is a plausibility of a feedback loop between SE and SCC (SE ↔ SCC) along these identified paths.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The estimates of the two non-recursive models are based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects to solve the identification issue.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Measurement models for both samples exhibited sufficient reliability, convergent and discriminant validity.

    “Measurement models for both the samples exhibited sufficient reliability, convergent and discriminant validity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Reduced need for normative compliance may allow freedom to choose products/brands coherent with self-identity, instead of relying on group identity, which could be more fulfilling psychologically.

    “The reduced need for normative compliance may also allow freedom to choose products/brands that are in coherence with one's self-identity, instead of relying on group identity, which could be more fulfilling psychologically.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Feedback loops between mindfulness and self-esteem and between mindfulness and self-concept clarity are plausible along these paths for meditators.

    “Further, feedback loops between mindfulness and SE (mindfulness ↔ SE) as well as mindfulness and SCC (mindfulness ↔ SCC) are also plausible along these paths for meditators.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The estimates of the two non-recursive models are based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects to solve the identification issue.

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Self-esteem and self-concept clarity are negatively associated with consumer susceptibility to normative influence.

    “SE and SCC have been shown to be negatively associated with CSNI (Mittal, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mittal, 2015 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationown data

    The hypothesised model is parsimonious and highly plausible with best fit over a class of meaningful alternatives.

    “Thus, while our hypothesised model is parsimonious and highly plausible with best fit over a class of meaningful alternatives, two equivalent non-recursive models (detailed in Appendix C) seem plausible as well.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The estimates of the two non-recursive models are based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects to solve the identification issue.

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Self-report measures might be prone to social desirability bias.

    “Self-report measures might be prone to social desirability bias, thus multiple assessment methods may be employed in future.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation

    Mindful individuals are less susceptible to automatized behaviour, peer influence or normative pressures.

    “Mindful individuals are more aware of their underlying psychological thought processes, making them less susceptible to automatized behaviour, peer influence or normative pressures (Rosenberg, 2004).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Rosenberg, 2004 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductown data

    The measurement models exhibited sufficient reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity.

    “Thus, the measurement models exhibited sufficient reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity (Fornell & Larcker, 1981).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fornell & Larcker, 1981 source

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductown data

    The six alternative models M1 through M6 were ruled out based on fit comparison with the original hypothesised model, exhibiting a significant drop in fit.

    “These six models were ruled out based on fit comparison with the original hypothesised model.They exhibited a significant drop in fit (χ 2 diff test).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationcitation

    The outcome has implications for improved individual and social well-being.

    “The outcome has implications for improved individual and social well-being (Brown & Kasser, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brown & Kasser, 2005 source
24 of 24

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The estimates of the two non-recursive models are based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects to solve the identification issue.

    “Their estimates were based on the assumption of equal reciprocal effects (MacCallum et al., 1993) to solve identification issue”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Age, gender and income are important correlates of conspicuous consumption.

    “Age, gender and income are considered important correlates of CC.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The reciprocal effects in the non-recursive models M7 and M8 are equal.

    “Based on this assumption of equal reciprocal effects, both models had significant feedback loops.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Very little research on dispositional mindfulness sits within the discipline of consumer psychology.

    “To conclude, although there is ample research on dispositional mindfulness, very little sits within the discipline of consumer psychology and thus learning for both consumers and marketeers from such investigations is currently untapped.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Individuals who choose to meditate or join the organisation could inherently be more spiritual, religious or less materialistic and thus may exhibit lower conspicuous consumption than what is attributable to mindfulness.

    “Although there is very limited research on what motivates people to practice meditation (Sedlmeier & Theumer, 2020), but individuals who choose to meditate or join the organisation could inherently be more spiritual, religious or less materialistic and thus may exhibit lower CC than what is attributable to mindfulness.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    People with greater self-esteem or self-concept clarity may have an easier time starting a meditation practice because their early experiences meditating bring up fewer unpleasant thoughts and fewer conflict, thus increasing the quality of their meditation.

    “this model proposes reciprocal relationships between mindfulness and SE as well as mindfulness and SCC based on the premise that people with greater SE or SCC may have an easier time starting a meditation practice because their early experiences meditating bring up fewer unpleasant thoughts and fewer conflict, thus increasing the quality of their meditation.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Low self-concept clarity may increase susceptibility to negative information, leading to low self-esteem.

    “This model proposes a reciprocal relationship between SE and SCC based on the premise that low SCC may increase susceptibility to negative information, that leads to low SE (Campbell, 1990).”
7 of 7

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Mindfulness-CC correlations differ between results and Appendix D

    Major

    The results report mindfulness-CC correlations of −0.39 for non-meditators and −0.45 for meditators. Table D.1 gives −0.342 for non-meditators and −0.376 for meditators for the same pair of variables.

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Metadata

Authors
Bharti, M., Suneja, V., & Bharti, M.
Affiliations
University of Delhi (IN)
Corresponding author
Bharti, Megha
ORCID
Venue
Personality and Individual Differences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-01
Volume
184
Pages
111215
ISSN
0191-8869 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.paid.2021.111215
OpenAlex
W3194149435
Semantic Scholar
fdc915454cbf326cd6624846e0987a60180061f2
Cited by
44
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6
FWCI
4.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Personality and Individual Differences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Consumer Retail Behavior Studies
Keywords
mindfulness, conspicuous consumption, self-esteem, self-concept clarity, normative influence, trait mindfulness, self-discrepancy, consumer behavior, well-being

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