In recent years, the phenomenon of compulsive shopping has become an increasingly prevalent behavioral concern, especially among young adult populations. A groundbreaking study published in BMC Psychology sheds new light on the intricate relationship between compulsive shopping behavior, family functioning, and fashion orientation, specifically focusing on female university students. By exploring these interconnected variables in a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study, the research provides an in-depth perspective on how psychological, social, and cultural factors coalesce to shape compulsive consumer habits. This nuanced understanding offers profound implications for developing targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of compulsive shopping within vulnerable demographic groups.
Compulsive shopping, often referred to in academic literature as oniomania, has been recognized not only as a behavioral addiction but also as a coping mechanism used to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional discontent. The study emphasizes this pathological behavior’s multifactorial nature, highlighting how familial environments can significantly influence the onset and perpetuation of compulsive buying tendencies. The research anchors its hypotheses on the premise that dysfunction in family units—characterized by weak communication patterns, lack of emotional support, and insufficient conflict resolution mechanisms—may exacerbate the likelihood of compulsive shopping behaviors as members seek compensation through consumerism for unmet emotional needs.
Utilizing a robust sample size of female students from diverse academic disciplines, the study employs validated psychological instruments to measure family functioning dimensions alongside compulsive shopping tendencies. These assessments included standardized scales evaluating perceived family support, cohesion, adaptability, and communication effectiveness. The methodology ensured a comprehensive portrait of the family environment, which was then contrasted with participants’ self-reported compulsive shopping behavior and fashion orientation, a variable operationalized through preferences for current trends, brand consciousness, and apparel expenditure patterns.
Fashion orientation emerged as a pivotal mediating factor in this complex triad of behaviors and familial influences. The researchers argue that fashion orientation is not merely a superficial interest in aesthetics but rather a deeply ingrained identity construct that can both reflect and reinforce compulsive shopping behavior. Female students who exhibited a high degree of fashion orientation demonstrated stronger correlations with compulsive buying, suggesting that fashion-driven motivations might amplify compulsive tendencies when combined with vulnerable psychological profiles shaped by dysfunctional family dynamics.
One of the most compelling technical aspects of the study is its analytical approach, which utilized advanced correlational methods to dissect the interrelationships among the variables. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to parse out the unique contributions of family functioning components after controlling for demographic factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and academic workload. This nuanced statistical framework allowed the authors to identify specific elements within family functioning—such as emotional responsiveness and communication quality—that directly predicted perilous levels of compulsive shopping tendencies.
Moreover, the cross-sectional design of the study enabled the identification of associative patterns prevalent within this particular population at a defined moment in time. While it does limit causal inference, the descriptive findings establish a foundational understanding that future longitudinal research can build upon. The authors advocate for subsequent studies employing time-series designs to monitor changes over time and consider potential feedback loops, whereby compulsive shopping may further degrade family relations, creating a cyclical dynamic detrimental to mental health.
The research also expands the existing paradigm by situating compulsive shopping within the broader socio-cultural context of fashion culture amongst youth. The pervasive influence of social media, celebrity endorsement, and digital marketing intensifies the urgency and psychological pressure to conform to fashion trends. Among female students, this manifests as an intricate balancing act between self-expression and externally imposed standards, where compulsive shopping acts as both a symptom and a contributor to identity struggles amplified by dysfunctional familial structures.
Scholars have long hypothesized that family cohesion provides a buffer against behavioral excesses, and this study corroborates such theories by demonstrating that participants reporting higher levels of family functionality exhibited substantially lower rates of compulsive shopping behavior. Emotional stability derived from supportive family relationships could serve as protective factors, promoting healthier coping mechanisms that eschew reliance on material consumption as a psychological salve.
The practical implications for mental health professionals, educators, and policy-makers are profound. Interventions aiming to reduce compulsive shopping among young women must consider family-based strategies alongside individual therapy. Psychoeducational programs designed to enhance familial communication, emotional support, and conflict resolution could prove effective in creating protective environments that diminish the allure of consumer-driven compulsion. Additionally, campus counseling centers might integrate modules addressing materialistic values and fashion orientation, fostering critical awareness about media influence and peer pressure.
Further technical exploration in this field could involve neuropsychological investigations into compulsive shopping behavior, focusing on brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and limbic system that regulate impulse control and reward processing. Such interdisciplinary research combining psychological assessments with imaging techniques would deepen the understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms shaped by familial and cultural factors.
The study also calls attention to gender-specific dynamics influencing compulsive buying, noting that female students may experience unique socio-psychological pressures linked to body image, societal expectations, and appearance-based self-worth. Exploring these gendered dimensions of compulsive shopping behavior is crucial for tailoring interventions that account for the multifaceted experiences of women in academic settings.
Importantly, the research addresses potential methodological limitations, including self-report bias and the challenges of measuring subjective family functioning across diverse cultural landscapes. The sample’s geographic and demographic specificity prompts caution in generalizing findings universally, thereby encouraging replication studies across different populations to validate and extend these insights.
In conclusion, this comprehensive study elucidates the intricate interplay between compulsive shopping, family functioning, and fashion orientation among female university students. It not only advances theoretical knowledge in behavioral addiction and family psychology but also offers actionable recommendations for practice and future scholarship. By bridging psychological constructs with contemporary cultural phenomena, the research underscores the necessity of multifaceted approaches to addressing consumer-related compulsive behaviors within emerging adult populations.
As compulsive shopping continues to permeate societies globally, understanding its psychological underpinnings remains a critical endeavor. This study’s findings advocate for holistic frameworks encompassing familial, psychological, and socio-cultural dimensions to effectively confront and ameliorate the pervasive impacts of compulsive buying, particularly in youth navigating the complexities of identity formation and social integration.
Subject of Research: The study investigates the relationship between compulsive shopping behavior, family functioning, and fashion orientation among female university students.
Article Title: Correction: The relationship between compulsive shopping behavior, family functioning, and fashion orientation among female students: a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study.
Article References:
Baniashraf, F., Madineshat, M., Ayubi, E. et al. Correction: The relationship between compulsive shopping behavior, family functioning, and fashion orientation among female students: a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study. BMC Psychol 13, 1096 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03483-5
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