The Effects of Sexism and Self-Concept on Body Satisfaction and Clothing Style Preferences for College Students

The purpose of this study is to examine how sexism and self-concept are related to body satisfaction and clothing style preferences. First, this study is designed to investigate the influence of self-concept (i.e., self-efficacy and public self-consciousness) on body image. Second, this study examines how sexism moderates the relationship between self-concept and body satisfaction. Third, this study investigates the effect of body satisfaction on clothing style preferences (i.e., fashionability, self-expression, self-confidence)

Special Apparel Needs of Consumers with Visual Impairments

The purpose of this study is to understand apparel consumers with visual impairments in terms of their apparel selection and shopping needs. The apparel needs of disabled consumers, specifically consumers with visual impairments, have not been thoroughly investigated (Chang et al., 2014). It is not known to what extent they differ, if at all, from consumers who are not visually impaired. Thus, this research provides insight into their apparel needs so that apparel manufacturers and retailers can better meet the needs of these disabled consumers

Clothing Selection Motivations and Challenges for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Qualitative Exploration of Caregivers’ Viewpoints

The study explored current adaptive clothing items that are available for individuals with Alzheimer’s and explore their needs of effective clothing features from their caregiver’s viewpoints

Do I Know My Body Size? An Examination of College Students Involved in Fashion

Female college students often show their interests in fashion by volunteering to be a model for a senior fashion show. Also, their preferences of a certain clothing style reflect or be reflective of their fashion involvement. This raised following questions: What are the actual and perceived body sizes of the college students wanting to be a fashion model? Do they have any distinctive body image perception? Do they have a better understanding of their weight status and sizes? Thus, this study aims 1) to understand how college students involved in fashion perceive their body images and 2) to assess their body image discrepancies between the actual body sizes and perceived sizes

Consumers with Visual Impairments: Impacts of Self-Efficacy and Public Self-Consciousness on Their Clothing Selection Motivations

According to the U.S. Census (2013), approximately 57 million people in the U.S. have at least one form of disability. Because of physical or mental limitations, disabled individuals may engage in behaviors that are unlike those of others in their society (Ittyerah & Kumar, 2009). One such behavior that may be affected by disabilities is dress behavior. For example, if an individual has a visual impairment, she/he may need someone to assist with clothing selection and need clothing with less complicated design. Because consumer behavior research has typically focused on the general population of consumers and assumed consumers’ normalcy (Miller, 1997), the population of those with special needs has been largely ignored by researchers

Body Image from the Military Service Member\u27s Perspective: The Effects of Weight Concerns and Social Pressures, and Health-Related Attitudes

Military service members are required to meet service-specific weight and body fat standards, and both active duty and reserve military personnel are required to maintain weight and fitness standards. This requirement to be fit and healthy is often found as an additional stressor and as an influence on body image. Also, anxiety and changes in eating and exercise prior to the bi-annual fitness tests have been documented. Thus, it is important to understand the military service member\u27s weight and body image perceptions in order to adequately plan intervention programs for the service members. The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of body image of military service members to better understand social-psychological needs to improve body image. Specifically, this study investigates the effects of weight concerns, perceived social pressures, as well as exercise and eating attitudes on body image

Retail Therapy: What Makes You Feel Relieved and Happy?

Today the term retail therapy has been used frequently and the concept of retail therapy has received notable attention from both marketers and scholars. Shopping has always been a form of therapy for consumers because they experience a significant amount of pleasure from the act of browsing or buying. Researchers have identified some factors to explain retail therapy motivations, such as loneliness, boredom, mood alleviation, and others. (Atalay & Meloy, 2011; Kang & Johnson, 2011). However, little research has been done to understand or draw linkages between personal characteristics (as antecedents) and retail therapy. Therefore, understanding what factors influence retail therapy and how the factors motivate retail therapy is critical. Consequently, this study aims to 1) examine the antecedents of retail therapy and 2) explore the impact of personal characteristics on retail therapy

An Investigation of Self-Concept, Clothing Selection, and Life Satisfaction among Disabled Consumers

Because consumer behavior research has typically focused on the population of “haves” and assumed consumers’ normalcy (Miller, 1997), the population of “have nots” has been largely ignored by researchers. As a result, we have a limited understanding of disabled individuals as consumers, particularly their behaviors related to the selection of clothing to wear. Thus, this study is designed to better understand disabled consumers and to investigate the influence of disabled individuals’ multifaceted self-concept on their motivations for clothing selection

What Do Tweens Think about Fashion Apparel Brands? An Exploration of Tween’s Perceptions about Brand Personality

When preparing advertisements directed towards consumers, it is imperative to know who the target market is and how they view specific brands. When targeting Generation Z tweens, it is crucial to understand who they are as consumers and what they look for in the products they purchase. The Generation Z segment can be described who was born from 1998 and will continue to be born until approximately 2018 (Brock, Ulrich, & Connell, 2010). The word “tween” is a recent term defining the age gap between childhood and adolescence, ranging from ages 8 to 13 (Brock et al., 2010)