Add to Cart: Problematic Shopping and Behavioral Addictions in a Canadian Sample During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Problematic shopping can include uncontrollable and frequent urges to shop. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have influenced these behaviors in several ways, such as through increased online shopping opportunities and pandemic-related stress. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine shopping and other behavioral addictions in the context of COVID-19. Methods: Canadian participants (n=546) reported on shopping, gambling, and gaming behaviors, using an online questionnaire. Results: Many participants reported that they shopped more overall (42%), shopped more online (57%), and shopped more for nonessential goods (38%) during the pandemic. Online shoppers also demonstrated greater scores on 2 measures of problem shopping behavior: the Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale, and the Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale. Further, female participants were more likely to report problematic shopping behaviors, whereas male participants were more likely to report problematic gaming behaviors. However, both problematic gambling and gaming were associated with problematic shopping. Conclusions: The present findings may shed light on how individuals are faring in relation to behavioral addictions and consumerism during COVID-19. The clinical implications are that a number of individuals may be struggling with problematic shopping, which may overlap with other behavioral addictions (ie, gambling, gaming), and which could be exacerbated by the current economic pressures of the pandemic.

Cannabis, Behaviours, COVID-19 and a Template For International Comparisons

“…A second topic of broad interest is the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on various behaviours. Purias et al3 report the results of an online questionnaire of shoppers during the pandemic with online shoppers demonstrating greater scores on 2 measures of problem shopping as well as associated sex difference with gaming involvement. In the second COVID-related article, Shaw et al4 analyze the impact of social lockdown on gambling activities.…”