Relationship between compulsive buying and depressive symptoms among males and females

- Compulsive buying was strongly related to depressive symptoms.
- Compulsive buying scores were higher among women than among men.
- Regression analysis indicated that compulsive buying predicts depressive symptoms.

This study examined the relationship between compulsive buying and depressive symptoms among males and females. Two hundred eighty-eight males and 456 females visiting shopping centers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, volunteered to take part in this study. Two inventories were administered to participants: a compulsive buying inventory developed for this study and the Beck Depression Inventory. We found a significant positive relationship between compulsive buying disorder and depression symptoms. There were also significant sex differences in compulsive buying, with female respondents demonstrating higher scores. Compulsive buying behavior explained 42.8% of the variance in depressive symptoms.