Psychological correlates of shopping addiction.

BACKGROUND

Shopping addiction refers to excessive, unnecessary shopping and is characterized by an inclination to acquire unnecessary items to feel pleasure and escape negative emotions. It is a type of behavioral addiction where the person finds the behavior rewarding psychologically while getting engaged in the activity but may later feel guilt, remorse, or even overwhelmed by the consequences.

AIM

To understand the prevalence and to assess the relation between shopping addiction and psychopathology, self-esteem, impulsivity, and personality traits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total sample of 250 was taken for the study through purposive sampling, and responses were collected in both offline and online modes. The tools used were sociodemographic sheet, self-structured shopping behavior questionnaire, Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Barratt Impulsivity Scale Abbreviated (BIS-A), and Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10).

RESULTS

A total of 122 individuals have been scored a cutoff score of 3 or more, indicating the presence of shopping addiction in them. Further analysis of these individuals suggests a relationship between impulsivity and extraversion personality trait and dimensions of shopping addiction.

CONCLUSION

Shopping addiction is a growing concern which needs to be explored more for treatment planning.