Stopping Overshopping: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Therapy for Compulsive Buying Disorder

Abstract

The present study tested the efficacy of a group treatment model for compulsive buying disorder, the Stopping Overshopping model, which includes aspects of cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness. A randomized controlled trial with 11 participants compared the efficacy of this model with a waiting-list control group, which received the treatment after a 12-week waiting period. Results showed significant improvement on (a) all compulsive buying measures, (b) amount of money and time spent, and (c) number of compulsive shopping episodes, all of which were well maintained at 6-month follow-up.

KEYWORDS:

• compulsive buying disorder
• group therapy
• shopping addiction