Personality matters – Explaining the link between materialism and well-being in young adults

Abstract The article focuses on neuroticism and narcissism as essential factors connecting materialism with well-being. It aims to explain their role in the context of perception of a material standard of living and satisfaction of psychological needs indicated by attainment of important goals. We also examine if defining materialism in terms of values and in terms of the pursuit of extrinsic goals affects the studied relationships. The study was conducted on a sample of 415 young adults (aged 19–29). The results show that personality matters in explaining the link between materialism and well-being in young adults, but its role is ambiguous. Neuroticism on its own does not mediate the link, whereas narcissism has a salient suppressing effect on it. The role of personality is more pronounced in connection with other mediators. Neuroticism elevates the assessment of non-extrinsic goal attainment, whereas narcissism amplifies the assessment of a material standard of living and extrinsic goals attainment; that in turn elevates well-being acting contrary to the detrimental effect of materialism. The importance of the mediating variables depends on the conceptualisation of materialism. Materialism as a value is more sensitive to personality than materialism as a pursuit of extrinsic goals.