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> According to research, materialism has been linked to a variety of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, as well as selfish attitudes and be

by avmich 8y ago

> According to research, materialism has been linked to a variety of mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, as well as selfish attitudes and behaviors. It would be interesting to many here, I suppose, to find details of such research. Also comparisons of problems caused my materialistic world view versus idealistic world view could be interesting. However we may easily trip into religious disagreements here, which are both burdensome and seem to be quite outside of the YC area. May be we best leave this topic undiscussed here?

aklemm 8y ago
It had remained undiscussed until you and I showed up.
raybb 8y ago
From the study mentioned in the link: > Indeed, materialism among this population has been linked to a variety of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression (Froh, Emmons, Card, Bono, & Wilson, 2011a), the use of addictive substances such as alcohol and illegal drugs (Williams, Cox, Hedberg, & Deci, 2000), and selfish attitudes and behaviors (Kasser, 2005). Froh, J. J., Emmons, R., Card, N., Bono, G., & Wilson, J. (2011a). Gratitude and the reduced costs of materialism in adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12(2), 289–302. Williams, G. C., Cox, E. M., Hedberg, V. A., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Extrinsic life goals and health-risk behaviors in adolescents. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(8), 1756–1771. Kasser, T. (2005). Frugality, generosity, and materialism in children and adolescents. In K. A. Moore, L. H. Lippman, K. A. Moore, & L. H. Lippman (Eds.), What do children need to flourish: Conceptualizing and measuring indicators of positive development (pp. 357–373). New York, NY, US: Springer Science + Business Media
tetromino_ 8y ago
> comparisons of problems caused my materialistic world view versus idealistic world view could be interesting Materialism ties your happiness to the state of a vast and unfriendly external system that you, particularly if you are a child in a non-wealthy family, cannot control. Suppose one day materialistic instincts - manipulated by advertisers and wealthy, high-status peers - inform you that you ought to acquire an expensive Thing to maintain your status and sense of self-worth. Your parents are unwilling or unable to provide the Thing for you. You, as a young person, cannot earn or save enough to buy the Thing on your own. As a result, you become unhappy. The situation repeats frequently, as materialistic instincts then go on to tell you that you ought to acquire Thing_2, Thing_3, etc.
- logicchains 8y ago
  >Suppose one day materialistic instincts - manipulated by advertisers and wealthy, high-status peers - inform you that you ought to acquire an expensive Thing to maintain your status and sense of self-worth. Your parents are unwilling or unable to provide the Thing for you. You, as a young person, cannot earn or save enough to buy the Thing on your own. As a result, you become unhappy. Wouldn't this depend on the personality of the child? Maybe the child decides "I'm going to work hard, study hard and hussle until I have these things, and have more of them than my wealthy peers". I've spent a lot of time in China, where the majority of people grew up way poorer than even the poorest Americans (albeit with better access to schooling) and such an attitude is not uncommon.
- Swizec 8y ago
  I don’t know about that but my parents always said: Money doesn’t bring happiness, but being unhappy in a Porsche sure as hell beats having your old clunker break down on the way to pick up your kids from kindergarten. Money solves problems. Fewer priblems makes you happier.
  - smileysteve 8y ago
    > Porsche > Fewer problems makes you happier. Ironically the "old clunker" is likely to generate fewer problems that cost less. I recently had someone complain to me about getting their newer BMW serviced at service centers; I told them you could always buy a 10 year old car that you could take anywhere; like me.
    - Swizec 8y ago
      The problem is when your choices are “Do I fix my car or buy groceries this week”
  - esotericn 8y ago
    A desire for wealth is distinct from materialism. The main benefit of having enough money is to have security in one's self - stable living situation, health taken care of, and so on and so forth.

by avmich 8y ago

aklemm 8y ago

It had remained undiscussed until you and I showed up.

raybb 8y ago

From the study mentioned in the link: > Indeed, materialism among this population has been linked to a variety of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression (Froh, Emmons, Card, Bono, & Wilson, 2011a), the use of addictive substances such as alcohol and illegal drugs (Williams, Cox, Hedberg, & Deci, 2000), and selfish attitudes and behaviors (Kasser, 2005). Froh, J. J., Emmons, R., Card, N., Bono, G., & Wilson, J. (2011a). Gratitude and the reduced costs of materialism in adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12(2), 289–302. Williams, G. C., Cox, E. M., Hedberg, V. A., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Extrinsic life goals and health-risk behaviors in adolescents. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(8), 1756–1771. Kasser, T. (2005). Frugality, generosity, and materialism in children and adolescents. In K. A. Moore, L. H. Lippman, K. A. Moore, & L. H. Lippman (Eds.), What do children need to flourish: Conceptualizing and measuring indicators of positive development (pp. 357–373). New York, NY, US: Springer Science + Business Media

tetromino_ 8y ago

> comparisons of problems caused my materialistic world view versus idealistic world view could be interesting Materialism ties your happiness to the state of a vast and unfriendly external system that you, particularly if you are a child in a non-wealthy family, cannot control. Suppose one day materialistic instincts - manipulated by advertisers and wealthy, high-status peers - inform you that you ought to acquire an expensive Thing to maintain your status and sense of self-worth. Your parents are unwilling or unable to provide the Thing for you. You, as a young person, cannot earn or save enough to buy the Thing on your own. As a result, you become unhappy. The situation repeats frequently, as materialistic instincts then go on to tell you that you ought to acquire Thing_2, Thing_3, etc.

logicchains 8y ago
>Suppose one day materialistic instincts - manipulated by advertisers and wealthy, high-status peers - inform you that you ought to acquire an expensive Thing to maintain your status and sense of self-worth. Your parents are unwilling or unable to provide the Thing for you. You, as a young person, cannot earn or save enough to buy the Thing on your own. As a result, you become unhappy. Wouldn't this depend on the personality of the child? Maybe the child decides "I'm going to work hard, study hard and hussle until I have these things, and have more of them than my wealthy peers". I've spent a lot of time in China, where the majority of people grew up way poorer than even the poorest Americans (albeit with better access to schooling) and such an attitude is not uncommon.
Swizec 8y ago
I don’t know about that but my parents always said: Money doesn’t bring happiness, but being unhappy in a Porsche sure as hell beats having your old clunker break down on the way to pick up your kids from kindergarten. Money solves problems. Fewer priblems makes you happier.
- smileysteve 8y ago
  > Porsche > Fewer problems makes you happier. Ironically the "old clunker" is likely to generate fewer problems that cost less. I recently had someone complain to me about getting their newer BMW serviced at service centers; I told them you could always buy a 10 year old car that you could take anywhere; like me.
  - Swizec 8y ago
    The problem is when your choices are “Do I fix my car or buy groceries this week”
- esotericn 8y ago
  A desire for wealth is distinct from materialism. The main benefit of having enough money is to have security in one's self - stable living situation, health taken care of, and so on and so forth.