Compulsive buying-shopping symptoms in a Greek sample and their Association with anxiety, stress, and depression: a cross-sectional online study

Symptoms of compulsive buying-shopping disorder (CBSD) are relatively common and have been associated with increased psychopathology, particularly mood and anxiety symptoms. However, relevant data are limited for the Greek population. We aimed to investigate the presence of CBSD symptoms in a Greek general population sample, and their potential association with anxiety, stress, depression, and demographic variables. A cross-sectional online study was carried out (October 2022 - November 2022) on 379 adults (females=254, 67%) from the general population from all over Greece. Participants were recruited using the snowball sampling method and completed a battery of questionnaires via Google Forms, including: (a) the 'Compulsive Buying Scale' (CBS); (b) the 21-item 'Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale' (DASS-21); and (c) the 'Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire' - developed for the present research. Up to 19.5% of the sample's subjects (N=74; females=60, 81.1%) demonstrated severe CBSD symptoms (CBS score > 42.2) and were designated as belonging to the "high-CBSD-symptoms" group. The rest of the participants (N=305) demonstrated less severe CBSD manifestations (CBS score ≤ 42.2) and were included in the "low-CBSD-symptoms" group. The mean age of subjects of the 'high-CBSD-symptoms' group was 27 years (±12.13 years). Significant positive correlations were found between CBS scores and all three DASS-21 subscales (stress, anxiety, depression). Particularly, subjects of the "high-CBSD-symptoms" group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in all three DASS-21 subscales, compared to the "low-CBSD-symptoms" group. In regression analysis, higher stress levels, female gender, younger age, and residence in non-metropolitan areas significantly predicted more severe CBSD symptoms. The overrepresentation of women may limit generalizability. Furthermore, this study is cross-sectional, and therefore, it cannot assert that compulsive-buying symptomatology is a cause or consequence of anxiety, stress, or depressive symptoms. Finally, due to the nature of the study (online survey), no clinical data regarding psychiatric or medical history were collected. The present study suggests that severe CBSD symptoms may be prevalent in a significant proportion of the Greek population, especially in younger women, and are significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Female gender, more intense stress, younger age, and living in non-metropolitan centers were predictors of more severe CBSD manifestations.