Some determinants of addictive buying behavior

Kwanghee Park, Purdue University

Abstract

This study examined which factors influenced addictive buying and proposed a model of determinants of addictive buying. The assumption was that a childhood experience of parental loss influenced depression which, in turn, increased addictive buying behavior in adulthood. Also, low self-esteem was assumed to influence the development of addictive buying. The data were obtained from questionnaires completed by 149 subjects (college students, Chicago residents, or members of Debtors Anonymous). There were no differences in depression and addictive buying between people with and without the experience of parental loss. The results of LISREL analysis indicated that parental loss was not significantly related to depression and addictive buying. Depression was negatively related to self-esteem and positively related to addictive buying. Women were found to have greater tendencies toward addictive buying than men. Two sets of analyses explored assumptions behind this study. First, the role of shopping as a mood elevator was examined and found to not only not function in this manner but to actually lower mood. It is noteworthy, however, that this drop in mood was not present for addicts. Second, respondents felt that overbuying is more likely to cause a feeling of depression or low self-esteem than depression or low self-esteem is to cause a need to buy a lot.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Heslin, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Psychology

COinS