Buying-Shopping Disorder: A Culturally Responsive Approach To Treatment
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Authors
Pereira, Cheryl
Issue Date
2025-08-22
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
buying-shopping disorder , compulsive buying-shopping disorder , shopping addiction , behavioural addiction , ecological systems theory , online shopping , financial , consumerism
Alternative Title
Abstract
Buying-shopping disorder (BSD) is a complex and often misunderstood behavioural addiction that intersects with psychological, relational, and sociocultural forces. Although not currently recognized as a standalone disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, BSD is increasingly acknowledged in the literature as a significant clinical concern requiring specialized understanding and treatment. This capstone paper explores the environmental and systemic influences that shape the prevalence and treatment of BSD through an ecological systems lens. A thematic analysis of the literature revealed four key themes: (1) the dual role of interpersonal relationships as both risk and protective factors; (2) the increasing impact of the online shopping environment on the onset and intensity of BSD; (3) the role of macrosystemic messages around consumption and worthiness; and (4) the fluid and identity-linked nature of BSD symptoms. The research argues for an expanded conceptualization of BSD that locates the disorder within its full social and environmental context, highlighting the need for systemic prevention efforts and multimodal treatment approaches. Without this broader understanding, interventions risk pathologizing individuals while ignoring the structural conditions that perpetuate their distress.