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Development of the Voluntary Simplicity Engagement Scale: Measuring Low-Consumption Lifestyles

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Abstract

Those who choose to reduce their material consumption to seek satisfaction in non-material ways are said to be living a life of voluntary simplicity. This lifestyle has potentially important implications for both environmental sustainability and individual well-being. In research, voluntary simplifiers are typically identified informally or by using measurement tools that may not reflect current simplifying practices. The aim of the current work was to develop a measure of voluntary simplicity based on the practices of contemporary simplifiers. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative interviews with 16 self-identified voluntary simplifiers were used to develop a questionnaire that was then administered to a sample of 423 participants. The questionnaire was refined statistically, resulting in the development of the 21-item Voluntary Simplicity Engagement Scale. The scale displays sound psychometric qualities and, with additional validation, should serve as a useful addition to the study of voluntary simplicity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.

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Correspondence to S. A. Rich.

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Appendix

Appendix

The following blogs, forums and organizations assisted in advertising the survey:

CERES Community Environment Park (https://ceres.org.au/)

Ecoportal Albury Wodonga (http://ecoportal.net.au/)

Voluntary Simplicity (closed Facebook group)

Down To Earth (https://down%2D%2D-to%2D%2D-earth.blogspot.com/)

Common Cause Australia (http://www.commoncause.org.au/)

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Rich, S.A., Wright, B.J. & Bennett, P.C. Development of the Voluntary Simplicity Engagement Scale: Measuring Low-Consumption Lifestyles. J Consum Policy 43, 295–313 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-018-9400-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-018-9400-5

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