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.