Too much shopping – is it depression?
Researchers have linked shopping addiction to symptoms of depression and low self-esteem in women who may use shopping as an escape mechanism to cope with unpleasant feelings.
‘Modern technology has made shopping extremely accessible and convenient, with the potential of sending problematic shopping into overdrive, especially due to factors such as social media, credit cards and advanced marketing,’ said author Cecilie Schou Andreassen, of Norway’s University of Bergen.
The study shows some tendencies as to which people develop a shopping dependency , researchers said. Andreassen said, ‘Addictive shopping occurs more regularly amongst certain demographic groups. It is more predominant in women, and is typically initiated in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, decreasing with age’.
The research also shows that shopping addiction is related to key personality traits. ‘People who score high on extroversion and neuroticism are more at risk of developing shopping addiction,’ said Andreassen. Explaining the logic, she said, ‘Extroverts, typically being social and sensation seeking, may be using shopping to express their individuality or enhance their social status and personal attractiveness.’ ‘Neurotic people, who typically are anxious, depressive, and self-conscio us, may use shopping as a means of reducing their negative feelings,’ she added.
The researchers further stated that people who are conscientious, agreeable, and who like new and intellectual stimuli are at a lesser risk from shopping addiction.
The symptoms of shopping addiction are closely related to the symptoms of drug addiction, alcoholism, and other substance addictions, the study concluded.
Written by: Dr. Ajay Sati.
