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Balancing the balance: Self-control mechanisms and compulsive buying

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  • Horváth, Csilla
  • Büttner, Oliver B.
  • Belei, Nina
  • Adıgüzel, Feray

Abstract

Previous research has mainly focused on identifying why compulsive buyers engage in excessive buying, while their attempts to control problematic buying behavior have largely been ignored. The present research examines the self-control attempts of compulsive buyers. Study 1 uses qualitative in-depth interviews to provide initial insights into the self-control attempts of compulsive buyers. Study 2 adopts a quantitative survey approach, and examines how prudent and compulsive buyers differ in their self-control attempts. The studies demonstrate that compulsive buyers engage in self-control, but differ from prudent buyers in how they apply self-control measures. These differences have implications for interventions that aim to enhance the success of compulsive buyers’ self-control.

Suggested Citation

  • Horváth, Csilla & Büttner, Oliver B. & Belei, Nina & Adıgüzel, Feray, 2015. "Balancing the balance: Self-control mechanisms and compulsive buying," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 120-132.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:49:y:2015:i:c:p:120-132
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2015.05.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. M. Gagarina A. & A. Shantseva A. & М. Гагарина А. & А. Шанцева А., 2017. "Социально-психологические особенности и уровень финансовой грамотности должников // Socio-Psychological Peculiarities and Level of Financial Literacy of Russian Debtors," Review of Business and Economics Studies // Review of Business and Economics Studies, Финансовый Университет // Financial University, vol. 5(2), pages 5-22.
    3. Jerry Yuwen Shiu & Guohang Wei & Hsiu-Hua Chang, 2023. "Impulse control during the online shopping frenzy in China: the role of consumer inertia," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Horváth, Csilla & Adıgüzel, Feray, 2018. "Shopping enjoyment to the extreme: Hedonic shopping motivations and compulsive buying in developed and emerging markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 300-310.
    5. Acerbi, Alberto & Sacco, Pier Luigi, 2022. "The self-control vs. self-indulgence dilemma: A culturomic analysis of 20th century trends," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    6. Thunström, Linda & Gilbert, Ben & Ritten, Chian Jones, 2018. "Nudges that hurt those already hurting – distributional and unintended effects of salience nudges," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 267-282.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Compulsive buying; Self-control; Strategies; Interventions; Consumer behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • M31 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - Marketing

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