Compulsive Buying in American Culture: An Analysis of Contemporary Online Discourse

Abstract

This Latin Honors thesis describes an in-depth analysis of compulsive buying behavior. Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) is characterized by a preoccupation with shopping and spending money that causes distress and anxiety to individuals. The disorder can be found in 5.8 percent of the United States population, equating to about 19 million individuals (Black, 2012). While there is still research being done to fully define all of its symptoms, CBD has been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders (Black, 2012). Many factors are associated with the cause of CBD, including advertising techniques, loyalty programs, and other means of reinforcing compulsive shopping behavior (Rick, 2013). This research addresses the content of what is being said on the Internet regarding CBD, including specifically the information that is available for those with CBD. Five key search terms were utilized in a netnographic study, which analyzed the resulting common key themes, categories, and sub-categories observed in each search. The research shows that while there is information available on the Internet for those with CBD, some of what is being said about “shopaholics” is trivialized and misunderstood. The study concludes that information is available to those who know what to search for, but much of this information is repetitive and not relatable. More research should be done to examine how current trends in society, from social media to increased technology to the economy, affect individuals with CBD.