Men Equally Likely as Women to Be Compulsive Buyers

A study to be published in the October issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry shows that men are nearly as likely to suffer from compulsive buying disorder as women.

Researchers surveyed 2,513 adults about their buying behaviors and attitudes. They found that more than one in 20 Americans were compulsive buyers, with 5.5 percent of men and 6 percent of women showing enough symptoms of the disorder to be classified as compulsive buyers.

Compared with other respondents, compulsive buyers also tended to be younger, to earn less than $50,000 a year, to have maxed out their credit limits within a couple hundred dollars and to only make monthly payments on credit cards.

Compulsive buying differs from normal shopping patterns as it entails a regular and irresistible urge to buy large quantities of often unneeded and even unwanted items. For many, it can lead to serious debt and emotional problems including divorce, bankruptcy and depression.

ABSTRACT: Estimated Prevalence of Compulsive Buying Behavior in the United States

See also: Compulsions