Prevention Approaches for Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder

Abstract

Aims: With the increase of online shopping and cashless payment, (online) compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) has become an increasingly important field of research. However, little attention has been paid to its prevention. Our aim is to identify prevention programs for CBSD respectively to propose prevention approaches for CBSD based on the literature on (behavioral) addictions. Methodology: A review of the literature was conducted. Two databases were used. Studies should refer to the prevention of CBSD and describe prevention concepts to be screened. Results and discussion: The search did not reveal any prevention programs focusing on CBSD beyond preliminary work from over 25 years ago. Potential content of prevention programs for CBSD based on prevention approaches for other behavioral addictions and risk factors of CBSD was outlined. For universal prevention, psychoeducation should reach (university) students and apprentices. Selective prevention should include social norms interventions, psychoeducation and low-threshold interventions. Indicated prevention should comprise group settings with several sessions. Self-observation, managing finances, procrastination, emotion regulation should be covered. Counselors at e. g., universities should be educated about CBSD. Referral to treatment should be considered for persons at-risk for CBSD. Conclusions: These suggested preventive offers should be further concretized and empirically evaluated.