A Conceptual Model of the Determinants of Life Satisfaction Among Young Adult Consumers

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework which provides a better understanding on the various factors that contributes to life satisfaction among young adult consumers. Several conceptual and empirical studies have examined the impact of various socialization agents on materialism and its link to life satisfaction, however, no studies have examined the link between young adults’ characterized by a specific family communication pattern, and its implications on the development of materialistic values and life satisfaction. This paper presents a conceptual framework which attempts to examine and review the role of materialism as a potential mediating variable in the relationship between young adults, who are characterized by a specific type of family communication patterns at home (i.e., either socio-oriented, concept-oriented or religiously oriented family communication), and life satisfaction. Finally, a set of propositions on the basis of theory research is presented, together with a concluding remark. Key words: Family communication environment; Materialism; Life satisfaction; Young adult consumers