Compulsive Shopping - The Yen to Spend

Compulsive shopping, also referred to as impulse buying, pathological buying, addictive buying, compulsive spending and compulsive buying has been defined as “an unplanned purchase that is characterized by…rapid decision-making, and a subjective bias in favor of immediate possession” (Rook & Gardner, as cited in Kacen & Lee, 2002, p. 164; Hartston & Koran, 2002; Dittmar, 2005). Although this impulsive buying behavior may provide initial benefits to the individual, it rapidly “becomes very difficult to stop and ultimately results in harmful consequences” (O’Guinn and Faber, 1992).

The core issue with compulsive shopping is that the buying or spending is “impulsive, excessive and uncontrolled” (Dittmar, 2005, p. 834).

The proliferation of internet shopping and televised home shopping networks has greatly increased the temptation and ease of buying for individuals who engage in impulsive spending behavior. Jewelry, makeup and miscellaneous gadgets are only a click or phone call away. Unfortunately, the consequences of compulsive shopping are not restricted to individual buyer’s distress and/or bankruptcy; to a great extent the damaging effects of impulsive spending are felt by the shopper’s family and “even society at large” (Christenson et al., as cited in Park, Cho, & Seo, 2006, p. 240).

The effortless acquisition of credit cards assists the compulsive shopper in acquiring financial debt. Although the possession of available credit does not contribute to addictive shopping, it does create a vehicle for impulsive buyers to spend effortlessly (Hollander, 2006). As impulsive shoppers incur large amounts of credit card debt in the spending of current and future earnings, often stress, difficulty in relationships, and economic failure is experienced.  This financial distress can occur at every economic level and often leads to relationship, legal and social issues.

Research on compulsive shopping and impulse buying focuses on a number of factors that are associated with addictive buying. Emotional discomfort (Rodriguez –Villarino, et al, 2006), low self-esteem (Park, Cho, & Seo, 2006), depression, (Kyrios, Frost, & Steketee, 2004), indecisiveness (Frost et al., 2007), and materialistic values (Dittmar, 2005) present the wide variety of research on the link between individual characteristics and pathological shopping.

     Typically characterized by a “preoccupation with buying and a preceding sense of tension” (Hartston & Koran, 2002, p. 65) followed by feelings of pleasure or happiness after the act of buying (Dittmar, 2007), compulsive shoppers are reported to come from impulsive and dysfunctional families where they have failed to learn how to postpone indulgence (Frosch et al., 1986).  Individuals with Impulse Control Disorders, like those with Substance Use Disorders, may be resistant to treatment. Compulsive shoppers may only seek treatment after receiving pressure from family or friends.

      There is scant research on effective treatment for compulsive shopping. Available treatment suggestions are based on individual cases and related disorders. Behavioral techniques should be the foundation of treatment for individuals with impulse buying troubles. A treatment approach that incorporates psychopharmacological treatments along with psychotherapy and budget strategies may prove most effective in controlling the urge to impulse spend. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), group therapy and family therapy have proven effective in reducing the compulsion to shop (Grant, 2003; Park, et al., 2006). Utilizing the ten-step addiction recovery process in Choice Theory provides the counselor with additional tools in assisting with the client’s treatment.