We aimed to build an understanding of how people’s capacity to enjoy themselves (Trait Hedonic Capacity), financial stress, and the price of a hedonic event interact, and how they impact the amount...Show moreWe aimed to build an understanding of how people’s capacity to enjoy themselves (Trait Hedonic Capacity), financial stress, and the price of a hedonic event interact, and how they impact the amount of enjoyment people gain from the hedonic activity. Our hypotheses stated that we expected financially stressed people to enjoy expensive hedonic activities less, unless they were inherently more able to enjoy themselves. Our data was collected by way of a convenience sample who filled in an online questionnaire (N = 129). The main analysis of this data was done by way of a mixed model repeated measures ANOVA with two groups (high- vs. low-cost condition) and two continuous between subject factors (Trait Hedonic Capacity and Financial Stress). Our analysis found no direct relation between financial stress and difference between enjoyment in more or less expensive hedonic events. We did find a significant effect for Trait Hedonic Capacity on enjoyment. Participants that scored higher on Trait Hedonic Capacity were far less affected by the increase in price of the hedonic activity, and enjoyed the high-cost hedonic event more than participants that scored lower on Trait Hedonic Capacity. We further explore how intrusive thoughts and rumination link the constructs of Trait Hedonic Capacity and financial stress, and argue that people higher in Trait Hedonic Capacity are especially better at pursuing hedonic goals when there are obstacles to hedonic success. That is when individual differences in Trait Hedonic Capacity shine through.Show less
Recent research has highlighted the importance of the ability to enjoy oneself and successfully pursue hedonic goals for subjective well-being. Research identified that individual differences in...Show moreRecent research has highlighted the importance of the ability to enjoy oneself and successfully pursue hedonic goals for subjective well-being. Research identified that individual differences in the ability to enjoy hedonic experiences are explained by the experience of intrusive thoughts. Hypothesizing that individuals with financial stress have more reason to ruminate, it is relevant to investigate financially stressed individuals are being disadvantaged or whether a high ability to enjoy oneself can help to disregard intrusive thoughts about their financial situation. Therefore, current study investigated individual differences in the experience of enjoyable activities and how price, one’s ability to enjoy and financial scarcity can predict hedonic consumer choices. An scenario-study describing a restaurant visit (€25 vs. €60) was performed on a section of the Dutch population (n = 129). Results of the study show that individuals prefer a cheaper restaurant visit when the goal is to maximize pleasure, but prefer a more expensive restaurant when the goal is to maximize quality. Furthermore, having a good ability to enjoy oneself can predict the amount of experienced enjoyment in a expensive restaurant visit. The study did not find a relationship between subjective financial stress and experienced enjoyment. Lastly, contradicting expectations, Trait Hedonic Capacity predicts enjoyment for people without financial stress, but not for individuals with financial stress. Results of current research should be interpreted with care since the used sample did not contain enough participants with financial stress.Show less
