Relationships between Tennessee homemakers personal and family characteristics, contacts with Extension and their use of selected clothing consumer practices

The major purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between personal and family characteristics of Tennessee homemakers, their contacts with Extension and their use of selected clothing consumer practices. Information obtained from the study can be useful in developing Extension plans and programs for clothing consumer education. The study characterized Tennessee homemakers and identified variables that may be related to their adoption of clothing consumer practices.

Data were obtained from the 1986 Clothing Consumer Survey through personal interviews by Extension Home Economist and trained volunteer leaders with 3064 randomly selected non-EHC homemakers in Tennessee. The "nth" number technique of random sampling was used to select respondents from telephone directories and other appropriate listings.

The chi-square test (x²) was used to determine the strength of the relationships between independent and dependent variables. The .05 level of probability was accepted as being statistically significant. Data were analyzed by the University of Tennessee Computing Center.

The major findings include the following:

1. The majority (over half) of the surveyed homemakers were married, over the age of 40, employed and were members of three or more person households. Almost half had no contact with Extension during the survey period. Over half had from one to eight or more contacts with Extension during the survey period.

2. Three of the five planning and budgeting practices were used by approximately 10 percent or less of all homemakers surveyed. Seven of the 35 selection and buying practices were nearly always used by approximately 10 percent of all homemakers surveyed. With the two clothing construction practices, over 60 percent of those surveyed did not sew for self and/or family, and of those who sewed, less than 5 percent completed over 15 garments.

3. Homemakers size of household was significantly related to 36 of the 42 selected clothing consumer practices. Homemakers use of 27 of the 42 clothing consumer practices decreased as the size of household increased.

4. Homemakers employment status was significantly related to 34 of the 42 selected clothing consumer practices. Unemployed homemakers tended to use 27 of the 42 selected clothing consumer practices at higher levels than employed homemakers.

5. Three of the four personal and family characteristics, including marital status, employment status and size of household, was significantly related to the total number of clothing consumer practices used. Age was not significantly related to the total number of clothing consumer practices used. Married homemakers, homemakers over the age of 40 and homemakers in two person households tended to use 31 or more practices at higher levels than homemakers in other household groups. Unemployed homemakers used 30 or less practices at higher levels than employed homemakers.

6. Extension contact was significantly related to 29 of the 42 selected clothing consumer practices. Homemakers use of clothing consumer practices tended to increase as the number of Extension contacts increased.

7. Homemakers sewing status was significantly related to 38 of the 42 clothing consumer practices. Homemakers who sewed tended to use 31 of the 42 clothing consumer practices at higher levels than those who did not sew.

Implications and recommendations for future studies were also presented.