Body self and the risks of shopaholism

Introduction
Currently there have been no studies about the relationship between body self and shopaholism and there has been little research on compulsive buying. The main goal of our study was to establish and analyse the relationship between the body self and the risks of shopaholism among women and men in early adulthood and determining which component of the body self presents the strongest shopaholism risk factor.Currently there have been no studies about the relationship between body self and shopaholism and there has been little research on compulsive buying. The main goal of our study was to establish and analyse the relationship between the body self and the risks of shopaholism among women and men in early adulthood and determining which component of the body self presents the strongest shopaholism risk factor.

Material and methods
The study participants were 111 women and 109 men (220 total participants) from 20 to 35 years of age. Ogińska-Bulik’s Scale of Shopping Behaviour and Sakson-Obada’s Body Self Questionnaire were used for data analysis.

Results
The relationship between the body self and the risk of shopping addiction was confirmed. The highest correlation between the aspects of the body self and the risks of shopaholism can be seen in the men’s group. The strength of the body self functioning is most clearly linked with shopping behaviour. The predictors of shopaholism were distinguished.

Discussion
The relationship of the body self to the risks of shopaholism is documented. The more irregularities in the field of the body self (weak body self) the higher the risk of shopaholism. Disturbances in experiencing, interpreting and regulating sensations are conducive to engaging in shopping activity.

Conclusions
The results confirmed the assumptions of the relationship of body self with risks of shopaholism (stronger for men). The strength of the functioning of the body self is most strongly associated with compulsive buying. Preventive and psychotherapeutic interventions should be aimed at strengthening the body self and building a positive emotional relation to body.