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Development of the Voluntary Simplicity Engagement Scale: Measuring Low-Consumption Lifestyles

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  • S. A. Rich

    (La Trobe University)

  • B. J. Wright

    (La Trobe University)

  • P. C. Bennett

    (La Trobe University)

Abstract

Those who choose to reduce their material consumption to seek satisfaction in non-material ways are said to be living a life of voluntary simplicity. This lifestyle has potentially important implications for both environmental sustainability and individual well-being. In research, voluntary simplifiers are typically identified informally or by using measurement tools that may not reflect current simplifying practices. The aim of the current work was to develop a measure of voluntary simplicity based on the practices of contemporary simplifiers. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative interviews with 16 self-identified voluntary simplifiers were used to develop a questionnaire that was then administered to a sample of 423 participants. The questionnaire was refined statistically, resulting in the development of the 21-item Voluntary Simplicity Engagement Scale. The scale displays sound psychometric qualities and, with additional validation, should serve as a useful addition to the study of voluntary simplicity.

Suggested Citation

  • S. A. Rich & B. J. Wright & P. C. Bennett, 2020. "Development of the Voluntary Simplicity Engagement Scale: Measuring Low-Consumption Lifestyles," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 295-313, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jcopol:v:43:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10603-018-9400-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10603-018-9400-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leonard-Barton, Dorothy, 1981. "Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyles and Energy Conservation," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 8(3), pages 243-252, December.
    2. Tim Jackson, 2005. "Live Better by Consuming Less?: Is There a “Double Dividend” in Sustainable Consumption?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 9(1‐2), pages 19-36, January.
    3. Kirk Brown & Tim Kasser, 2005. "Are Psychological and Ecological Well-being Compatible? The Role of Values, Mindfulness, and Lifestyle," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 74(2), pages 349-368, November.
    4. Stacey A. Rich & Sharon Hanna & Bradley J. Wright, 2017. "Simply Satisfied: The Role of Psychological Need Satisfaction in the Life Satisfaction of Voluntary Simplifiers," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 89-105, February.
    5. Peyer, Mathias & Balderjahn, Ingo & Seegebarth, Barbara & Klemm, Alexandra, 2017. "The role of sustainability in profiling voluntary simplifiers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 37-43.
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    Cited by:

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    2. O'Dell, Dallas & Contu, Davide & Shreedhar, Ganga, 2025. "Public support for degrowth policies and sufficiency behaviours in the United States: a discrete choice experiment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126084, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Siyun Chen & Haiying Wei, 2023. "Linking Temporal Landmarks to Voluntary Simplicity: The Mediating Roles of Self-Transcendence and Self-Enhancement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(4), pages 693-708, December.
    4. Siyun Chen & Yaxuan Ran, 2024. "A silver lining of the epidemic: how contagious disease salience leads to minimalistic consumption," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 24339-24357, September.
    5. F. Ziesemer & A. Hüttel & I. Balderjahn, 2021. "Young People as Drivers or Inhibitors of the Sustainability Movement: The Case of Anti-Consumption," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 427-453, September.
    6. Chen, Siyun & Kou, Sining & Lv, Linxiang, 2024. "Stand out or fit in: Understanding consumer minimalism from a social comparison perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).

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