The interplay of Internet addiction and compulsive shopping behaviors

Abstract

We examined the relationship between Internet addiction and compulsive shopping in offline versus online settings, and the role of consumers' self-esteem on their offline behavior and compulsive e-buying tendencies. We received 257 usable responses to a self-administrated online survey. Hypothesized causal relationships were tested with structural equation modelling using AMOS. Results showed that the respondents' self-esteem was significantly and negatively related to compulsive online buying and Internet addiction. Both compulsive offline buying and Internet addiction had a strong positive relationship with compulsive online buying. Based on the significant influences of low self-esteem and Internet addiction, policy makers can develop educational or counselling programs that could influence consumers' purchasing behaviors.