Compulsive buying among young adults: a behavioural segmentation

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to re-examine the characteristics of compulsive buying behaviour (CBB) based on a new improved screener. The study analyses young compulsive buyer attitudes, decision making, product preferences, the impact of credit card use and postpurchase perspectives in relation to compulsive buying behaviour severity. Design/methodology/approach – The study takes a quantitative approach to the analysis of compulsive behaviour among young consumers, using data from a questionnaire survey and a large sample. A wide range of statistical procedures and structural equation modelling are used in the analysis. Findings - The segmentation of compulsive buyers, on the basis of disorder severity, provides important insights into the asymmetrical between-group variation in anxiety levels, product preferences, feelings, attitudes and credit card impact, and the within-group variability in daily compulsivity patterns and associated shopping behaviour. Originality/value – The study compares non-compulsive behaviour with occasionally compulsive, mildly compulsive and severely compulsive consumers using an improved screening tool. It identifies critical criteria that distinguish between mild and severe forms of the disorder, which have hitherto been neglected yet represent key diagnostic and predictive factors which can inform both early intervention and our understanding of CBB and its complexity.