Abstract
The aims of the current study were to explore the relationship between compulsive buying (CB) and impulsivity, and to investigate
the proposal that emotion regulation deficits and mindful attentional awareness may also play a role in maladaptive buying
behaviours. In a community-recruited sample of 49 compulsive buyers with a mean age of 29.02 (SD = 11.24) and 37 healthy controls
with a mean age of 25.61 (SD = 7.38) CB was significantly related to several domains of impulsivity and emotion regulation
deficits. Furthermore, CB was associated with less dispositional mindful attentional focus, which was in turn associated with
specific emotion regulation deficits. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANCOVA) controlling for general psychopathology
supported significant group differences in all outcome measures, with the exception of difficulties engaging in goal-directed
behaviour. Taken together, the findings suggest that CB is characterized by impulsivity, but that emotional vulnerabilities
and poor regulatory processes may also play a role in either the development or maintenance of CB. Limitations and future
directions are discussed.
the proposal that emotion regulation deficits and mindful attentional awareness may also play a role in maladaptive buying
behaviours. In a community-recruited sample of 49 compulsive buyers with a mean age of 29.02 (SD = 11.24) and 37 healthy controls
with a mean age of 25.61 (SD = 7.38) CB was significantly related to several domains of impulsivity and emotion regulation
deficits. Furthermore, CB was associated with less dispositional mindful attentional focus, which was in turn associated with
specific emotion regulation deficits. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANCOVA) controlling for general psychopathology
supported significant group differences in all outcome measures, with the exception of difficulties engaging in goal-directed
behaviour. Taken together, the findings suggest that CB is characterized by impulsivity, but that emotional vulnerabilities
and poor regulatory processes may also play a role in either the development or maintenance of CB. Limitations and future
directions are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9384-9
- Authors
- Alishia D. Williams, Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
- Jessica R. Grisham, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916