Consumer Decoupling: Linkages between Social-Environmental Empathy, Spirituality, Mindful Consumption, and Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

The shift from externally focused materialism to internally focused mindful consumption reflects the emerging phenomenon of consumer decoupling behavior among adult Americans. We explored spirituality and empathy as decoupling agents in driving decoupling behaviors indicated by mindful consumption and subjective well-being. A qualtrics survey was administered to U.S. consumers (n = 305) and structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypotheses. Spirituality activated empathetic emotions, promoting mindful consumption. Mindful consumption enhanced subjective well-being while mediating between empathetic emotions and subjective well-being. Theoretical, societal, and organizational implications pertaining to consumer decoupling are suggested.