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How thoughts of death and intrinsic/extrinsic goal orientation affect well‐being during the pandemic

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  • Fatih Sonmez

Abstract

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, reminders of death are so ubiquitous that it is almost impossible to avoid death‐related thoughts. This research examined the effect of COVID‐19‐induced thoughts of death on life evaluation, a core component of well‐being, and investigated the moderating role of goal orientation in this effect. Results from two experiments (N = 384) indicated that participants with a relative orientation toward extrinsic aspirations (wealth, fame, image) decreased their life evaluation, both when under conscious death thoughts (Study 1) and after being distracted from these thoughts (Study 2). By contrast, participants with a relative orientation toward intrinsic aspirations (personal growth, meaningful relationships, community contributions) increased their life evaluation when under conscious death thoughts, while they maintained their baseline life evaluation after being distracted from these thoughts. This research also found evidence for the moderating role of belongingness. However, no evidence was found for the moderating roles of self‐esteem and attachment style.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatih Sonmez, 2022. "How thoughts of death and intrinsic/extrinsic goal orientation affect well‐being during the pandemic," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 292-318, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jconsa:v:56:y:2022:i:1:p:292-318
    DOI: 10.1111/joca.12411
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Schmuck & Tim Kasser & Richard Ryan, 2000. "Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goals: Their Structure and Relationship to Well-Being in German and U.S. College Students," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 225-241, May.
    2. Lan Nguyen Chaplin & Deborah Roedder John, 2007. "Growing up in a Material World: Age Differences in Materialism in Children and Adolescents," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 34(4), pages 480-493, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elizabeth A. Minton, 2022. "Pandemics and consumers' mental well‐being," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 5-14, March.
    2. Branko Vermote & Sofie Morbée & Bart Soenens & Maarten Vansteenkiste & Joachim Waterschoot & Wim Beyers & Jolene Kaap-Deeder, 2023. "How Do Late Adults Experience Meaning During the COVID-19 Lockdown? The Role of Intrinsic Goals," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 1759-1780, June.

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