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Resisting Temptation: Is Compulsive Buying an Expression of Personality Deficits?

  • Shopping Addiction (A Müller and J Mitchell, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We summarized studies focusing on the associations between compulsive buying and temperament/personality traits in community and clinical samples published between 2010 and 2016.

Recent Findings

We found significant associations between compulsive buying (CB) and high levels of Behavioral Activation System (BAS) reactivity, Novelty Seeking, and Positive Urgency (promotion focus), as well as high levels of Neuroticism, Emotional Instability, and Negative Urgency (prevention focus). Finally, the results showed negative relationships between CB and lack of Effortful Control, Self-Control, Perseverance, and Premeditation.

Summary

CB seems to be driven by positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement as well as a breakdown in self-regulation. Longitudinal studies should investigate the development of CB throughout time, and experimental studies should examine whether individuals with CB suffer from a general vs. a cue-specific breakdown in self-regulation. Psychotherapy should focus on the training of self-control as well as the development of behavioral alternatives to regulate emotions.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, box 3720, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Laurence Claes

  2. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Laurence Claes

  3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Astrid Müller

Authors
  1. Laurence Claes
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  2. Astrid Müller
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Correspondence to Laurence Claes.

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Dr. Laurence Claes and Dr. Astrid Müller declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Shopping Addiction

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Claes, L., Müller, A. Resisting Temptation: Is Compulsive Buying an Expression of Personality Deficits?. Curr Addict Rep 4, 237–245 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0152-0

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