Interconnected desires: A systematic review of compulsive buying-shopping disorder and its links to disordered eating and body image by gender.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder (CBSD) is linked to disordered eating behaviors (DEB) and body image (BI) concerns, sharing traits like impulsivity and low self-control. Societal pressures and idealized body standards exacerbate body dissatisfaction, which may drive individuals toward buying/shopping or DEB as coping strategies. This review aims to clarify these connections, including from a gender-sensitive perspective.

METHODS

This systematic review was pre-registered (PROSPERO CRD42023489555) and followed PRISMA guidelines. A search was conducted across PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed MEDLINE, and Scopus. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Studies.

RESULTS

CBSD is often associated with DEB regardless of gender, particularly binge-eating disorder. Women are more affected by CBSD than men, with higher rates of comorbid bulimia nervosa, and they experience greater psychological distress. Several studies found that CBSD and DEB are often linked through maladaptive coping strategies. Body dissatisfaction is consistently identified as a key predictor of CBSD, which may serve as a coping mechanism for emotional distress.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Gender differences were analyzed in only 14 studies, limiting the generalizability of the findings. A significant gap in research on sexual and/or gender minorities (SGM) is highlighted. This gap is crucial to address, as SGM individuals often face unique stressors (e.g., social stigma) that may influence their mental health and coping behaviors differently than cisgender/heterosexual individuals. Future research should focus on more diverse, longitudinal studies.