Online Compulsive Buying and Psychological Distress : A Person-Centered Approach and Reflections on Chinese Social Policy

The widespread use of the internet has made online shopping an integral part of modern digital life for people. However, the emergence of compulsive online buying in China has further led to psychological distress among residents. Online compulsive buying cannot be considered a homogeneous group. In response, based on the theory of false needs and the empty-self, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China with 860 respondents to investigate the population’s online compulsive buying and psychological distress as well as latent profiles. The results of the survey indicated a modest correlation between compulsive buying and psychological distress. Latent profile analysis was employed, and three latent profiles were identified: “low compulsive - low distress”, “high compulsive - low distress”, and “high compulsive - high distress”. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the frequency of online shopping, average monthly spending on online shopping, sex and marital status had significant effects on the different latent profiles. This study offers new insights from an interdisciplinary perspective and provides empirical evidence on the typology of online compulsive buying-related psychological distress. We also advocate for a heightened focus on the mental health of residents and a critical reflection on Chinese social policy, particularly in the current context where economic development and the expansion of domestic demand are prioritized.