Researchers connect shopping addiction to the symptoms of depression as most of the women go to shopping when they feel unpleasant.
First author Cecilie Schou Andreassen, of Department of Psychosocial Science at University of Bergen in Norway said "Modern technology has made shopping extremely accessible and convenient, with the potential of sending problematic shopping into overdrive - especially along with sociocultural factors such as social media, credit cards and advanced marketing."
A study clearly shows that some of the women intend to develop a shop dependency.
Andreassen said "Addictive shopping clearly occurs more regularly amongst certain demographic groups."
She said "It is more predominant in women, and is typically initiated in late adolescence and emerging adulthood, and it appears to decrease with age."
Research shows that shopping addiction is also a link to key personal traits.
Andreassen said "Our research indicates that people who score high on extroversion and neuroticism are more at risk of developing shopping addiction."
"Extroverts, typically being social and sensation seeking, may be using shopping to express their individuality or enhance their social status and personal attractiveness,"
"Neurotic people, who typically are anxious, depressive, and self-conscious, may use shopping as a means of reducing their negative feelings,"
Researchers also said that people who are less at risk in shopping addiction are people who are agreeable, conscientious and who like new and intellectual stimuli.
These types of persons have good self control, avoid shopping when they have conflicts and may regard shopping for their leisure, buy necessary needs and serve as an conventional activity.
Lastly she added "We have also found that shopping addiction is related to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, and shopping may function as an escape mechanism for, or coping with, unpleasant feelings - although shopping addiction may also lead to such symptoms." The study results that shopping addiction is also a similar to alcohol addiction, drug addiction and other substance addiction.
The new study is based on core addiction elements that diagnose other criteria for addictions, and it is first in the world.
This study is published in the Journal Frontiers in Psychology.
