The effect of Independent Tendency of Single Women on Consumption Values and Clothing Benefits

The purpose of this study is to identify the independent tendency of single women, certainly worthy of study in considering their size, their growth, and their purchasing power, and to examine their effects on consumption values and clothing benefits. The data were collected from self-administrated questionnaire with 537 single women in their 20�s and 30�s on May in 2005. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, reliability analysis, K-means cluster, one way ANOVA and chi-square. Factor analysis on independent tendency resulted in three dimensional structures: marriage-independent tendency, physical independence, social independence. Five dimensions of consumption values were identified by factor analysis: conspicuous, pro-environmental. economic, enjoyable, aesthetic values. Five dimensions of clothing benefits were identified by factor analysis: individuality, well-known brand, practicality, price, social recognition pursuit. The respondents were classified to three groups by three factors of independent tendency: high independent group, social-physical independent group, low independent group. There were significant differences among these groups in demographic characteristics, consumption values and clothing benefits.