DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Sociocultural Attitudes toward Appearance and Cosmetic Consumption: The Comparison between Chinese and Thai Males

  • Lee, Seung-Hee (Dept. of Clothing & Textiles, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Poraksa, Sirin (Dept. of Consumer Studies, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Xie, Yang (Dept. of Mass Communication, Ewha Womans University)
  • Received : 2011.05.11
  • Accepted : 2011.07.11
  • Published : 2011.07.30

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of major variables and their relationship with the males' appearance consciousness that affect the men's cosmetic consumption. Also, the study also intended to verify the differences of men's cosmetic consumption between Chinese and Thai males. The samples consisted of 200 males who ranged in age from 18 to 35 years (M=24.64). One hundred participants were Thai and one hundred were Chinese. Based on literature review, six research questions were proposed. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test, and multiple regression were used for this study. As the results, the sociocultural attitudes of consumers towards their appearance are positively relevant to the self-esteem and public self consciousness. Also, appearance consciousness such as appearance evaluation and appearance orientation led more cosmetic consumption. Chinese males revealed higher scores on public self-consciousness, appearance orientation, and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance than Thai males. Based on these results, some implications for global cosmetic markets would be suggested.

Keywords

References

  1. M. Nick(2009), "Cosmetic for men-growth in a global market", Chemico Health and Beauty Solution E-newsletter, pp.35-39.
  2. R. Ricciardelli, K. Clow(2009), "Men, appearance and cosmetic surgery: The role of self-esteem, and comfort with the body", Canadian Journal of Sociology, 34(1), pp.105-111.
  3. A. Conseur, J. Harhcote, & S. Kim (2008), "Consumer Masculinity Behavior among college students and its relationship to self esteem and media significance", Sex Role, 58, pp.549-555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9366-2
  4. T. Nastasja(2009), "The influence of male and female reference groups on men's attitude towards male personal care products"
  5. Kasikorn research(2009), retrieved 2010. 12. 05 from http://library.dip.go.th/eib/cgi-bin /opacexe.exe?op=dig&lang=1&db=Main&pat= %B5%A1%A4%E9%D2%A7&cat=tit&skin=u&lp p=16&catop=&scid=zzz&ref=T:@80278&nx=1
  6. N. Phuposukul (2009), "Cosmetic product market-Thailand', US." Commercial Services. retrieved 2010. 12. 10 from http://www. buyusa.gov/asianow/thcosmetic.html
  7. L. Festinger, (1954), "A theory of social comparison process", Human Relations, 3, pp.117-139.
  8. S. Stormer, J. Thompson(1996), "Explanation of body image disturbance: A test of maturational status, negative verbal commentary, social comparison, and sociocultural hypotheses", International Journal of Fating Disorder, 19(2), pp.193-202. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-108X(199603)19:2<193::AID-EAT10>3.0.CO;2-W
  9. S. Lennon, A. Lillethun, S. Buckland (1999),"Attitude toward social comparison as a function of self-esteem: Idealized appearance and body image", Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. 27(4), pp.379-405. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077727X99274001
  10. Richins M. L.(1991), "Social comparison and the idealized images of advertising", Journal of Consumer Research, 12(1), pp.71-83.
  11. G. Bessenoff (2006), "Can the media affect Us_social comparison, self-discrepancy, and the thin Ideal", Psychology of Women Quarterly. 30. pp.239-251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2006.00292.x
  12. M. Rosenberg(1965), Self-esteem scale, New Jersey ; Princeton University Press, p.26.
  13. S. Gould, B. Barak(1988), "Public self-consciousness and consumption behavior", The Journal of Social Psychology, 128(3), pp.393-400. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1988.9713756
  14. A. Fenigstein(1987), "On the nature of public and private self-consciousness", Journal of Personality, 55(3), pp.543-553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1987.tb00450.x
  15. W. Bearden, R. Rose, R.(1990), "Attention to social comparison information: An individual difference factor affecting consumer conformity", Journal of Consumer Research, 16(4), pp.461-471. https://doi.org/10.1086/209231
  16. Khanna. P.(2004), "Metrosexual superpower", Foreign Policy, 143, pp.66-68.
  17. R. Ricciardelli, K. Clow(2009), "Men, appearance and cosmetic surgery: The role of self-esteem, and comfort with the body", Canadian Journal of Sociology, 34(1), pp.105-111.
  18. Siamturakrit, op. cit.
  19. Li & Fung Research Centre(2009). "Overview of cosmetic market in China".
  20. F. Cheng, C. Ooi, D. Ting(2010), "Factors affecting consumption behavior of metrosexual toward male grooming products", International Review of Business Research, 6(1), pp.21-32.
  21. M. Rosenberg(1965), Self-esteem scale, New Jersey ; Princeton University Press, p.120-122.

Cited by

  1. Metrosexual trend in facial care products: Analysis of factors that influence young Chinese men purchasing intention vol.10, pp.4, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1080/20932685.2019.1639527
  2. Hedonic and utilitarian value as a mediator of men’s intention to purchase cosmetics vol.11, pp.1, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1080/20932685.2019.1682026