EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG LIMINAL TRANSITIONS, SYMBOLIC CONSUMPTION, AND THE EXTENDED SELF

Integrating Belk's (1988) notion of the ''extended self'' with van Gen nep's (1960) framework of ''liminal transitions,'' a model of symbolic consumption activities and psychological phenomena that occur during major life transitions is developed. In an initial investigation, the transition from high school to college is used to explore the nature o f the liminal experience, the role that symbolic consumption assumes i n the process, and the effects of both on consumers' psychological sta tes. The results suggest that certain negative psychological consequen ces are indicative of existence in a liminal state. Further, consumers in transition appear to rely on possessions that symbolize the past, as well as those that represent the new role, to help facilitate a maj or life transition. Directions for future research are offered. (C) 19 97 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.