In recent years, the complex interplay between psychological stress and behavioral addictions has garnered increased attention from mental health researchers worldwide. A groundbreaking study published in 2025 by El Keshky and Almohammadi in BMC Psychology delves into this dynamic by examining perceived stress and its association with compulsive buying behavior among Saudi adults. The study introduces a critical psychological mechanism—rumination—that mediates this link, offering new insights into how stress translates into compulsive consumption patterns. This research not only advances our understanding of compulsive behaviors in the context of mental health but also frames rumination as a pivotal cognitive process that exacerbates vulnerability to such behaviors within distinct cultural settings.
Compulsive buying, often characterized as an uncontrollable urge to make purchases regardless of need or financial capability, has long been recognized as an emerging public health concern. Unlike traditional addictions associated with substances, behavioral addictions like compulsive buying manifest through repetitive actions driven by emotional distress and cognitive distortions. In contemporary societies, where consumer culture is pervasive and digital commerce readily accessible, understanding why certain individuals succumb to compulsive purchasing is paramount. This study’s focus on the Saudi population is particularly important, considering socio-cultural factors influencing stress perception and consumption behavior in Middle Eastern contexts remain underexplored in global research.
The psychological construct of perceived stress, central to this research, refers to an individual’s subjective evaluation of stress experienced in response to life challenges and environmental demands. Unlike objective stress measures, perceived stress captures the nuanced cognitive appraisal processes by which individuals interpret and react to stressors, thereby influencing emotional and behavioral outcomes. High perceived stress levels have been implicated in a variety of maladaptive coping strategies, including compulsive buying, which serves as a temporary escape by providing momentary relief or gratification. However, the pathways through which perceived stress triggers compulsive buying behaviors have eluded clear explanation until now.
One of the seminal contributions of El Keshky and Almohammadi’s work lies in elucidating the mediating role of rumination—a cognitive process characterized by repetitive and passive focus on distress and its potential causes and consequences. Rumination prolongs negative affect, undermines problem-solving abilities, and can intensify maladaptive behavioral responses. By statistically demonstrating that rumination significantly mediates the relationship between perceived stress and compulsive buying, the authors highlight how the perpetual cycling of stressful thoughts inexorably leads to compulsive, impulsive acts of consumption. This offers profound implications for therapeutic interventions targeting the cognitive processes underlying compulsive buying.
Methodologically, the study employed robust psychometric assessments to measure perceived stress, rumination, and compulsive buying within a representative sample of Saudi adults. Utilizing validated self-report instruments, the authors ensured reliability and cultural relevance by adapting measures for the Saudi context, an approach often neglected in cross-cultural psychiatric research. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation hypothesis, providing strong empirical evidence supporting rumination’s intermediary role. The rigorous analytical framework adds credence to the findings and establishes a replicable model for future research in other populations.
This research also situates compulsive buying within a biopsychosocial model, acknowledging that stress and cognitive processes like rumination do not operate in isolation but interact with socio-cultural factors unique to Saudi Arabia. The rapid modernization and increasing consumerism in the region have transformed social norms and expectations, potentially amplifying the impact of stress on buying behaviors. Moreover, societal taboos around mental health may exacerbate rumination and prevent affected individuals from seeking psychological support, further entrenching compulsive behaviors. By connecting these dots, the study provides a nuanced cultural lens through which compulsive buying can be understood beyond Western-centric frameworks.
The implications for public health policy and clinical practice are significant. Interventions aimed at reducing compulsive buying often focus on behavioral modifications; however, this study suggests the effectiveness of cognitive-targeted therapies, such as mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), that reduce rumination and recalibrate stress appraisal processes. Addressing rumination presents a tangible target for breaking the self-perpetuating cycle of stress and compulsive consumption, potentially mitigating financial hardship and emotional distress associated with compulsive buying. Furthermore, community education programs tailored to Saudi cultural norms could raise awareness about the subtle cognitive traps driving compulsive acts.
Beyond clinical applications, the study’s findings resonate in the realm of consumer psychology and marketing ethics. Understanding that stress-induced rumination fosters compulsive buying offers industries insights into the psychological vulnerabilities exploited by aggressive marketing and targeted advertising, especially online. This raises ethical questions about the responsibilities of corporations operating in high-stress societies, potentially prompting calls for stricter regulation of advertising practices that prey upon consumers’ emotional states. Additionally, the research provides a framework for developing digital tools aimed at detecting and mitigating compulsive buying tendencies before they escalate into pathological behaviors.
The study also opens avenues for further multidisciplinary investigations. Future research could explore biological correlates of rumination and compulsive buying, such as neuroendocrine stress responses and neural circuitry alterations, to develop integrative biopsychological models. Longitudinal studies are warranted to ascertain causality and temporal dynamics between perceived stress, rumination, and compulsive buying, which cross-sectional designs cannot fully capture. Moreover, comparative studies across different cultural groups could reveal universal versus culture-specific mechanisms, enriching the global mental health discourse on behavioral addictions.
Critically, the study acknowledges certain limitations that point to the inherent challenges in measuring complex psychological constructs. Self-report bias, cultural variations in reporting distress, and potential confounders like economic status or comorbid psychiatric conditions warrant cautious interpretation. Nonetheless, the carefully stratified sample and culturally validated instruments mitigate some of these concerns, underscoring the robustness of the findings within their stated scope. Integrating qualitative research could complement quantitative data by providing rich narratives of individual lived experiences with stress and compulsive buying.
On a broader scale, El Keshky and Almohammadi’s work exemplifies the necessity of culturally grounded mental health research in the 21st century. As the world faces escalating stressors—from global pandemics to economic volatility—the pathways linking stress to addictive behaviors are increasingly relevant. Studies that unravel the cognitive mediators like rumination not only clarify underlying mechanisms but also humanize the experience of mental health struggles within diverse populations, fostering empathy and tailored intervention strategies. This research contributes to closing the gap between mental health science and culturally sensitive healthcare delivery.
In summary, this pioneering study delineates a critical psychological process, rumination, that bridges perceived stress and compulsive buying among Saudi adults. It challenges simplistic notions of behavioral addictions as mere impulsivity, unveiling a cyclical interplay where cognitive patterns deepen vulnerability to maladaptive behaviors. The culturally mindful methodology and profound clinical and societal implications establish this work as a cornerstone in the evolving understanding of compulsive buying and its determinants. As consumerism penetrates all corners of the globe, insights like these will be vital to safeguarding mental well-being and promoting healthier consumer habits.
Subject of Research:
The study investigates the relationship between perceived stress and compulsive buying behavior among Saudi adults, focusing on the mediating role of rumination.
Article Title:
Perceived stress and compulsive buying among Saudi adults: the mediation role of rumination.
Article References:
El Keshky, M.E.S., Almohammadi, I.A. Perceived stress and compulsive buying among Saudi adults: the mediation role of rumination. BMC Psychol 13, 1004 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03369-6
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