Money Buys Financial Security and Psychological Need Satisfaction: Testing Need Theory in Affluence

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Money Buys Financial Security and Psychological Need Satisfaction: Testing Need Theory in Affluence
Language: English
Authors: Howell, Ryan T., Kurai, Mark, Tam, Leona
Source: Social Indicators Research. Jan 2013 110(1):17-29.
Availability: Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2013
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Psychological Needs, Need Gratification, Well Being, Income, Older Adults, Security (Psychology), Path Analysis, Poverty, Life Satisfaction, Theories, Economic Status
DOI: 10.1007/s11205-010-9774-5
ISSN: 0303-8300
Abstract: The most prominent theory to explain the curvilinear relationship between income and subjective well-being (SWB) is need theory, which proposes that increased income and wealth can lead to increased well-being in poverty because money is used to satisfy basic physiological needs. The present study tests the tenets of need theory by proposing that money can buy happiness beyond poverty if the money satisfies higher-order needs. Findings indicate that in older adults (n = 1,284), as economic standing rises, so do individual perceptions of financial security (a safety need), which in turn increases overall life satisfaction. Further, a path model tested the degree to which financial security and psychological need satisfaction mediated the path from economic standing to life satisfaction and demonstrated the complete mediation through higher-order needs--there was a 66% reduction in the direct link through financial security and a 34% reduction through psychological need satisfaction. Discussion focuses on how these mediation and path models extend need theory.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 40
Entry Date: 2013
Accession Number: EJ994996
Database: ERIC
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