The Relationship Between Compulsive Buying and Hoarding in China: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

There is no previous research that has explored the correlation between compulsive buying and hoarding in the Chinese population. This study aims to determine the relationship between compulsive buying and hoarding in a sample of the Chinese population comprising participants from mainland China (emerging economy) and Hong Kong (developed economy). Self-reported measures consisting of demographic questions, the Chinese version of the Hoarding Rating Scale (CHRS), and Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale-Traditional Chinese (RCBS-TC) were administered to participants. After data collection, common method biases were precluded. The RCBS-TC and CHRS were validated by confirmatory factor analysis and found correlated by Pearson correlation coefficient. The RCBS-TC and CHRS demonstrated satisfactory levels of internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.872 and 0.828, respectively). A three-factor model, including hoarding, obsessive-compulsive, and impulse control disorders, was obtained through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with the satisfactory fit for the total sample from Hong Kong and mainland China. A significant correlation was found between RCBS-TC and CHRS (r = 0.473). Findings also showed that 14% of the participants exhibited compulsive buying behavior. This study provides sufficient proof of the reliability and validity of RCBS-TC and CHRS. Their relationship was explored based on two sets of samples from different regions in Asia, which contributes more applicability in a cross-cultural context.