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Cited by 2,298Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionCultural Differences and ValuesPersonality Traits and Psychology

A dark side of the American dream: Correlates of financial success as a central life aspiration

Kasser, Tim, Ryan, Richard M.·1993·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
DOI 10.1037/0022-3514.65.2.410
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Abstract

Aspiring for financial success is an important aspect of capitalist cultures. Three studies examine the hypothesis that values and expectancies for wealth and money are negatively associated with adjustment and well-being when they are more central to an individual than other self-relevant values and expectancies. Studies 1 and 2 use 2 methods to show that the relative centrality of money-related values and expectancies is negatively related to college students' well-being and mental health. Study 3, using a heterogeneous noncollege sample, extends these findings by showing that a high centrality of aspirations for financial success is associated with interview ratings of lower global adjustment and social productivity and more behavioral disorders. Discussion is focused on the deleterious consequences of materialistic world views and the need to examine differential effects of content regarding goals and values.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0022-3514.65.2.410

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  • Not all aspirations are equally beneficial for psychological health and social functioning.

    “In recent years, a growing body of research has suggested that not all aspirations are equally beneficial for psychological health and social functioning.”

    From The path taken: Consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life (2009) · cites this paper as Kasser and Ryan (1993)

  • People who strongly valued financial success relative to personal growth, close relationships, and community involvement reported poorer psychological health.

    “This research began with studies by Kasser and Ryan (1993) showing that people who strongly valued financial success relative to personal growth, close relationships, and community involvement reported poorer psychological health, suggesting a potential ‘dark side to the American dream.’”

    From The path taken: Consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life (2009) · cites this paper as Kasser and Ryan (1993)

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Authors
Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M.
Affiliations
University of Rochester (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1993
Volume
65
Issue
2
Pages
410-422
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
DOI
10.1037/0022-3514.65.2.410
OpenAlex
W2117301412
Cited by
2,298
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 88 · 2023: 164 · 2022: 90 · 2021: 87 · 2020: 155 · 2019: 141 · 2018: 114 · 2017: 84 · 2016: 101 · 2015: 109 · 2014: 118 · 2013: 115 · 2012: 133
FWCI
10.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01hd019914-08, 5t32mh018922-04)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH 18922)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD-19914)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Cultural Differences and Values
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Keywords
financial success, value of money, materialism, life aspirations, well-being, mental health, adjustment, social productivity, behavioral disorders, university students, American Dream
MeSH terms
Adult, Aspirations, Psychological, Female, Goals, Humans, Life Style, Male, Mental Health, Surveys and Questionnaires, Stress, Psychological, United States

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