Sally K Francis

Gender Differences in the Dimensional Structure of Apparel Shopping Satisfaction Among Korean Consumers: The Role of Hedonic Shopping Value

The moderating role of hedonic shopping value in conjunction with gender differences in apparel shopping satisfaction was investigated. Involvement, variety seeking, and physical environment of stores were selected as antecedents of shopping experience satisfaction. Respondents were 746 Korean undergraduate university students. To test the hypothesized structural model, structural equation modeling was utilized. The structural model for female subjects confirmed the existence of the mediating role of hedonic shopping value in shopping satisfaction, whereas the model for male respondents did not. For the female group, involvement and variety seeking influenced shopping experience satisfaction directly through hedonic shopping value. For the male group, hedonic shopping value did not play a role as an intervening variable. Male respondents’ levels of hedonic shopping value may have been too low to serve as an intervening determinant. This result implies that male respondents may possess greater utilitarian constructs for apparel shopping satisfaction rather than hedonic constructs.

Effect of Consumer Socialization on Clothing Shopping Attitudes, Clothing Acquisition, and Clothing Satisfaction

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of consumer socialization on attitudes toward clothing and shopping and means of acquiring clothing and to investigate the effects of consumer socialization and selected clothing and shopping attitudes on clothing satisfaction. Subjects were 70 mother/daughter pairs who completed parallel questionnaires. Results indicated similarities between mother and daughter pairs for means of clothing acquisition and for overall clothing satisfaction. For both mothers and daughters high fashion involvement and high shopping enjoyment contributed to overall clothing satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of consumer socialization and satisfaction theories.

Effect of Perceived Clothing Deprivation on High School Students' Social Participation

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect ofperceived clothing deprivation on social participation of adolescents. A questionnaire was developed to measure perceived clothing deprivation and social participation. The sample was comprised of 338 high school students enrolled in ninth through twelfth grades at six high schools. Factor analysis generated two clothing deprivation factors: Inability to Buy and Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. Two social participation factors were also generated: Social Competence and Social Participation. Results indicated that clothing deprivation had a significant effect on social participation. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant main effects for both Inability to Buy and Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. Univariate F tests revealed significant main effects for both clothing deprivation factors on both social participation factors.

Appearance Management Behavior and the Five Factor Model of Personality

Personality and appearance management variables such as clothing interest and appearance orientation have been the topic of previous studies. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between personality and appearance emphasis. A sample of undergraduate female college students completed a questionnaire measuring five personality factors and accompanying facets. Students also completed a questionnaire that included nine appearance emphasis items. Linear regression demonstrated a relationship exists between certain personality variables and appearance emphasis variables. Neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience were found to be moderate predictors for appearance emphasis. The findings of this investigation have theoretical implications regarding the social-psychological aspects of appearance and dress and personality research.

Effect of Economic Stress on Perceived Clothing Deprivation Among High School Students

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of economic stress on perceived clothing deprivation among high school students. Questionnaires were completed by 336 ninth through twelfth grade students who were enrolled in home economics classes at six high schools. The students were 13 to 20 years of age; 82% were female. The clothing deprivation measure consisted of 27 items based on measures developed by previous researchers. Factor analysis generated two factors from the 27 items which were used as the two dependent variables in subsequent analyses: F1, Inability to Buy; and F2, Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. The students were divided into four groups according to reported level of economic stress. Results indicated that economic stress had a significant overall effect on perceived clothing deprivation. Univariate F tests revealed significant effects for both clothing deprivation factors. Post hoc tests indicated that for F1, the lowest economic stress group perceived less clothing deprivation than did any of the other three groups; also, the second lowest group perceived less deprivation than did the highest group. For F2, the highest economic stress group perceived higher clothing deprivation than did any of the other three groups.

Market Applications for Recycled Postconsumer Fibers

This study has (a) examined the profile of recycled postconsumer fibers, (b) evaluated product characteristics that are suitable for recycled postconsumer fiber application, and (c) explored the market potential for recycled postconsumer fiber products. Average fiber content (by weight) of used clothing in this study was: cotton, 59.29%; polyester, 21.82%; acrylic, 5.72%; wool, 5.14%; nylon, 5.09%; and silk, 2.94%. Assuming recycled postconsumer textiles will not undergo any further treatment except being shredded into fiber fluff, market analysis has identified the following potential application of fibers: carpet cushion, home insulation, fiber stuffing, clean-up products, mattress pads/futons, geotextiles, landscaping, and concrete reinforcement. For each potential application, the product performance characteristics have been discussed and applicable techniques have been recommended.

EFFECTS OF CLOTHING VALUES ON PERCEIVED CLOTHING DEPRIVATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS

The present purpose was to investigate the relationship between clothing values and perceived clothing deprivation among adolescents. From previous studies a questionnaire was developed to measure perceived clothing deprivation (the dependent variable) and clothing values (the independent variable). Items were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The sample was comprised of 338 high school students enrolled in Grades 9 to 12 home economics courses at six high schools. The effects of values (aesthetic, economic, exploratory, political, religious, sensory, social, and theoretical) on perceived clothing deprivation were tested. Pearson correlations and multiple regression indicated positive relationships between perceived clothing deprivation and the economic and social clothing values. Also, these values accounted for significant proportions of the variance of perceived clothing deprivation. Negative relationships between aesthetic and political clothing values and perceived clothing deprivation were noted; however, they did not contribute significantly to the variance of perceived clothing deprivation. No relationships were found between the remaining clothing values and perceived clothing deprivation.

Perceived clothing deprivation : further evidence

The purpose of this study was to extend the conceptualization of perceived clothing deprivation among three groups of adolescents: 161 skateboarders, 61 baseball players, and 336 general high school students. Perceived clothing deprivation, the dependent variable, was measured by two previously developed scales, Inability to Buy and Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. Regression analysis of self-reported economic stress indicated that the combination of lower income and increased demand was positively related to both clothing deprivation factors. Group membership was not significantly associated with Inability to Buy but was with Clothing Deprivation Relative to Peers. Both male sports groups reported greater perceived dissatisfaction than the general population of high school students. These results support the idea that perceived clothing deprivation is self-defined and peer-dependent among adolescents and support the proposition that clothing deprivation reflects primarily influence of dynamic rather than stable variables.

Disseminating Energy Efficient Clothing Information: A Comparison of Two Methods

As energy conservation practices have become commonplace, publications regarding energy efficient clothing are increasingly available. This study focused on the effect of the method of dissemination of energy efficient clothing information on knowledge, attitudes and behavior. A booklet and a slidetape program were the experimental treatments designed for this study. One-way analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls follow-up procedures were used to examine the differences between two treatment groups and a control group on the knowledge, attitudes and behavior variables. Results indicated that knowledge of energy efficient clothing was higher among subjects exposed to either print or visual material than among those who were not. No differences were found in energy conservation attitudes and few differences were found in behavior change between the three groups.

Clothing Deprivation/Satisfaction: A Methodological Note

Analysis of the conceptualization of clothing deprivation and clothing satisfaction supported by data from 161 male skateboarders between the ages of 12 and 19 years indicated that the two constructs may be interchangeable.