Materialism, the high value individuals place on wealth and material objects, is an emergent value in society, particularly among young adults. Previous research underscores the negative psychological effects associated with materialism (low levels of happiness, emotional insecurity, decreased well-being), and links materialism to socialization experiences, including mass media influences. In a diverse college sample (N=206), materialism was associated with factors in socioecological contexts representing societal as well as individual-level domains. Materialism was predicted by low levels of religious well-being, heavy use of television, and high levels of death anxiety. Black and Asian students were found to report being more materialistic than Whites. The implications for materialism as a broad construct existing across several domains of functioning are highlighted, along with the need for enhanced focus on materialistic orientations as a growing social problem.