Miserable materialists

People who want the latest type of toys and gadgets could be more depressed than people who are happy with what they have already got. Researchers from Murray State University in Kentucky asked 101 men and women how they felt about a range of gadgets including mobile phones, digital cameras, mp3 players, TVs, game consoles, laptops, cars, designer clothes and jewellery. The participants were asked whether they liked what they owned and, if not, how much they wanted a newer version. The people who were more materialistic and who longed for new gadgets had lower feelings of 'life satisfaction.