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Balancing Diet and Wellbeing: Exploring the Relationship Between Wise Consumption, Meat Reduction, and Psychological Wellbeing

Hendey, Briahna M
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1657-9507
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598240064757451

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Consumer wisdom is a novel concept that has been developed to explore whether and how "wisdom" shapes consumer decisions. Wisdom is defined as acting in a way that transcends strictly personal interests and that balances personal and collective interests over the long term. This research examines how sustainable consumption, and reduced meat consumption in particular, relate to consumer wisdom. Meat consumption offers an ideal context to examine how “wise” consumers might balance the perceived tradeoffs between societal/environmental wellbeing and individual wellbeing, owing to its cultural importance and impacts to the environment, animals, and personal health. Using data from an online survey of American adults (N=323), this study builds upon existing literature suggesting that reducing one’s meat consumption can have adverse psychological effects, whereas some other types of sustainable consumption might actually improve psychological wellbeing. Results show that "wise" consumers, on average, consume less meat than their less "wise" counterparts. However, the individuals who scored highest in consumer wisdom did not benefit psychologically from reducing their meat consumption, especially in the case of beef. In contrast, individuals who scored low in consumer wisdom did benefit psychologically from reducing their meat and beef consumption. It is suggested that "wise" consumers are perhaps more attune and sensitive to any perceived costs associated with meat abstention.
Jeremy Brooks (Advisor)
128 p.
Conservation; Environmental Studies
Consumer wisdom, sustainable consumption, meat reduction, psychological wellbeing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hendey, B. M. (2020). Balancing Diet and Wellbeing: Exploring the Relationship Between Wise Consumption, Meat Reduction, and Psychological Wellbeing [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598240064757451

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hendey, Briahna. Balancing Diet and Wellbeing: Exploring the Relationship Between Wise Consumption, Meat Reduction, and Psychological Wellbeing. 2020. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598240064757451.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hendey, Briahna. "Balancing Diet and Wellbeing: Exploring the Relationship Between Wise Consumption, Meat Reduction, and Psychological Wellbeing." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1598240064757451

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1598240064757451
228
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.