Low self-concept clarity reduces subjective well-being: the mediating effect of materialism

Knowing oneself and the pursuit of well-being are the eternal themes of human society. Accordingly, the link between self-concept and subjective well-being (SWB) has been a hot topic of research in psychology. This study aims to examine the effect of low self-concept clarity (SCC) on SWB and the mediating role of materialism from the perspective of self-uncertainty, so as to enrich the research in related fields. In Study 1, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 531 adults to explore the relationship between low SCC, materialism, and SWB at the trait level. In Study 2, we experimentally manipulated low SCC and examined its effect on SWB and the mediating role of materialism. The results of the two studies showed that low SCC reduced SWB, and materialism played a mediating role in this relationship. This study reveals the internal mechanism of the influence of low SCC on SWB and enriches the related research on materialism.