Antecedents and outcome of mindful buying

Abstract

Many scholars have examined how people implement principles of mindfulness in their day-to-day consumption activities. Because buying in most cases precedes consumption, the present research builds a model of antecedents of mindful buying. Based on multi-theoretical perspectives, the model posits four key variables as antecedents of mindful buying: environmental activism (self-concept theory and collective interest model), duration of concern about the environment (life course perspective), and media and personal sources as socialization agents. The model proposes that these antecedent variables would have direct effects on mindful buying as well as indirect effect through attitudes toward the environment. The model also posits positive health outcomes of mindful buying. Using a demographically diverse sample (N = 629, females = 51.7%), regression models were used to test for direct and indirect effects of antecedent variables on mindful buying. Findings of these analyses find support for the model. Implications for theory development, public policy and practice are also discussed.